1mass noun A substance obtained from vanilla pods or produced artificially and used to flavour foods or to impart a fragrant scent to cosmetic preparations.

1. 1.1Ice cream flavoured with vanilla.
   ‘four scoops of vanilla with hot fudge sauce’
   More example sentences

   • ‘Even though vanilla remains an age-old ice cream favorite, numerous other flavors have arrived on the scene.’
   • ‘In my book, chocolate ice-cream beats strawberry or vanilla, any day.’
   • ‘In summer I like to make ice cream, usually vanilla or chocolate cinnamon - you can win friends and influence people with homemade ice cream.’
   • ‘Remember when choosing an ice cream boiled down to vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, or orange sherbet?’
   • ‘My goal was for them to finish off the chocolate and vanilla, so we could get more ice cream.’
   • ‘The line initially launched with four packaged flavors - vanilla, chocolate, butter pecan and Neapolitan.’
   • ‘The choices are pretty straight forward: chocolate or vanilla, big or small.’
   • ‘It was only when we got our bill we realised we'd been charged another £2.50 for two small scoops of vanilla.’
   • ‘A good, plain, not too sweet scoop of vanilla would have made a far better companion.’
   • ‘I extracted slow licks from a single scoop of vanilla.’
   • ‘Even though there has been a jump of sorts as far as the diversity of flavours is concerned, most ice-cream sellers still swear by that humble cupful of vanilla.’
   • ‘Of course, vanilla will always reign supreme when it comes to ice cream.’
   • ‘I like vanilla, but I'm not scared of the hot fudge or hot caramel on a hot day.’
   • ‘There is this Sundae Cup which is creamy vanilla topped with strawberry or chocolate sauce.’
   • ‘She prefers chocolate ice-cream, and I prefer vanilla.’
2. 1.2as modifier Of the creamy colour of vanilla ice cream.
   ‘a vanilla dress’
   More example sentences

   • ‘Her chin length French vanilla hued bob is heavily layered ending in razored edges that are slightly choppy and flippy.’
   • ‘The walls were a sort of stale French vanilla color, a few cracks running down the center of some parts.’
   • ‘Her eyes still the deep brown they always had been, her skin vanilla white.’
   • ‘The bride wore a vanilla satin strapless boned top and midnight blue velvet fishtail skirt, with a vanilla and blue wrap.’

2A tropical climbing orchid that has fragrant flowers and long podlike fruit.

Genus Vanilla, family Orchidaceae: many species, in particular V. planifolia, the chief commercial source of vanilla pods

1. 2.1The fruit of the vanilla plant which is cured and then either used in cooking or processed to extract an essence which is used for flavour and fragrance.
   ‘Heat milk, cream, lemon zest and vanilla pods in a stainless steel pan and bring to the boil.’
   More example sentences

   • ‘Bring the caster sugar and 500 ml of water to the boil in a medium saucepan, then add the lemon juice, stem ginger, star anise and the vanilla pod.’
   • ‘The cream mixture can also be flavored, often with a vanilla pod, sometimes with fruit or fruit juice, but you could also experiment with tea, cocoa powder, and different spices or extracts - not very traditional but also very good.’
   • ‘Instead of passionfruit flavouring, you could infuse the cream with either a fresh vanilla pod or some star anise pods.’
   • ‘You can stick a vanilla pod into a jar of sugar to flavour it, or for a more rounded taste, you can whizz the sugar with the whole pod or just the seeds in an electric mixer.’
   • ‘The store even stocks authentic Tahitian vanilla pods, saffron and sake.’
   • ‘Madagascar, Mexico, Réunion and Tahiti produce the plumpest and most flavoursome vanilla pods.’
   • ‘Open the vanilla pods lengthways and, using the point of a knife, scrape out all the seeds.’
   • ‘Cut the vanilla pod into two equal pieces.’
   • ‘Add the seeds of the vanilla pod and a pinch of salt.’
   • ‘To make the custard, pour the milk into a saucepan, split the vanilla pod lengthways and drop it into the milk, then bring slowly towards the boil.’
   • ‘Split open the vanilla pod and scrape out the seeds into a pan.’
   • ‘Return the pineapple to the pan with the vanilla pod and bring to a boil.’
   • ‘Add a vanilla pod, a sprig of sweet cicely, lavender or elderflower cordial to rhubarb compote.’
   • ‘Halve the vanilla pod lengthwise and scrape out the seeds into a small non-stick saucepan.’
   • ‘Reheat the cream and milk, then lift the vanilla pod out of the pan and set aside for making the crème anglaise.’
   • ‘When it has cooled, remove the vanilla pod and place the mixture in the fridge.’
   • ‘Put the rice in a medium-sized, heavy-based pan, then pour in the milk, cream, vanilla pod or extract and water.’
   • ‘Add the caster sugar, water, white wine, vanilla pods and seeds.’
   • ‘Make the vanilla sugar by whizzing a few tablespoons of sugar with the seeds of a vanilla pod in an electric mixer and sprinkle it generously over the chilled strawberries before eating.’

Having no special or extra features; ordinary or standard.