toffee
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /tˈɒfiː/
US
- /ˈtɑfi/
Description
- Sweet candy
- Hard caramel-like candy
- Buttery treat
Toffee is a rich candy made by cooking sugar and butter until it turns hard and crisp. When you bite into it, it usually has a firm snap and a deep, buttery taste. It is a classic sweet in both British and American traditions, and it is often sold on its own or covered with chocolate or nuts.
You might find it wrapped as candy, broken into pieces for snacking, or added to desserts like ice cream, cookies, and cakes. The word is also used for a warm brown color, as in a toffee-colored coat or sofa. It feels familiar, sweet, and a little special.
Toffee is more than just a sweet snack; it is known for its rich taste and crisp, brittle texture. It is usually made by heating sugar and butter until the mixture becomes hard as it cools. Some versions are plain, while others include chocolate, nuts, or salt. In many cases, the candy breaks with a clear snap, though softer kinds also exist.
The word is strongly linked with British culture, where it appears in traditional sweets such as toffee apples and other fairground treats. In North America, it is also very popular, often sold in gift boxes, covered in chocolate, or used in dessert pieces and toppings. People may talk about English toffee as a particular style, especially in candy shops.
The word also appears outside the candy itself. A toffee apple is an apple coated in a hard sugar layer, and toffee can describe a warm golden-brown color in clothes, furniture, or design. In everyday use, the word usually makes people think of sweetness, butter, crunch, and comfort. Whether it is eaten on its own or added to a dessert, toffee has a cozy, old-fashioned feel.
Examples
- 1
Candy
She bought a bag of toffee at the village shop.
Meaning
hard or chewy candy made from sugar and butter
- 2
Chocolate sweets
The box was full of chocolate-covered toffees.
- 3
Dessert
We shared a sticky toffee pudding after dinner.
Phrase
sticky toffee pudding
a warm dessert with a sweet toffee sauce
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- toffeenoun
Forms
- toffeespluralnoun