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Definition of caffeine

caffeine

/ˈkæf.iːn/
caf · feine
Plural:caffeines
•
Adjective:caffeinated
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caffeine Lexical Profile

caffeine Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A bitter, white crystalline alkaloid found naturally in coffee beans, tea leaves, cacao pods, and kola nuts that acts as a central nervous system stimulant to increase alertness and reduce drowsiness.

Example

"She switched to herbal tea in the evening because too much caffeine kept her awake at night."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for caffeine

Word Nuance & Usage

"Caffeine" is a famous exception to the traditional "i before e except after c" spelling rule.

• Rhymes for caffeine

• Nearby Words

cafetiere
caffeinate
caffeinated
caffeine
caftan
cagayan
cage

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the 1820s from French "caféine" and German "Kaffein", coined by the German chemist Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge from "Kaffee" (coffee) plus the chemical suffix "-in" (used for alkaloids and related compounds). The word for coffee itself ultimately traces back to Arabic "qahwah".

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Caffeine. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/caffeine
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