vanilla

[vuh-nil-uh, -nel-uh] / vəˈnɪl ə, -ˈnɛl ə /

ADJECTIVE

simple, unadorned

Synonyms

STRONG

clean plain rustic

WEAK

austere elementary folksy homely humble inelaborate mid modest pure and simple uncluttered uncomplicated undecorated unelaborate unembellished unornamented unostentatious unpretentious your basic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Even the vanilla scent near the sweet shop had faded.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

This year's offerings include the "Best in Show," the "Golden Cut Margarita," the "Maestro Martini" and "The Sequel," made with gold vanilla edible paint streaked along the side.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

I opted for the classics: onion soup, retro vol-au-vent overflowing with mushrooms and, for dessert, an île flottante heady with vanilla and caramel.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 14, 2026

The last great decade for popular culture because everything since then has become quite vanilla.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

He handed me my ice cream—a double scoop of vanilla.

From "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling

Vocabulary lists containing vanilla

White

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National Cookie Day

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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

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