1. Flavor: This is the most common meaning. Vanilla refers to the flavor extracted from the vanilla bean, a spice that is often used in desserts, drinks, and other foods. It has a sweet, warm, and slightly floral aroma.
2. Color: Vanilla can also refer to a pale yellowish-brown color. This color is often associated with the vanilla bean itself.
3. Simple or Unoriginal: In a figurative sense, "vanilla" can be used to describe something that is plain, ordinary, or lacking in excitement or individuality. For example, someone might say "She has a very vanilla taste in music" meaning she only listens to popular, mainstream genres.
4. Sexual Preference: In the context of sexual preference, "vanilla" is used to refer to heterosexual and non-kinky sexual activity. This meaning is often used in contrast to more "exotic" or "fetishistic" preferences.
5. Type of Orchid: In the botanical world, "vanilla" is also the name of a genus of orchids, including the species *Vanilla planifolia*, which is the source of the vanilla bean.
To understand the intended meaning of "vanilla", it's essential to consider the context in which it is used.