elixir

American  

[ih-lik-ser] / ɪˈlɪk sər /

noun

• elixirs
  plural

1. Pharmacology. a sweetened, aromatic solution of alcohol and water containing, or used as a vehicle for, medicinal substances.

2. Also called elixir of life.  an alchemic preparation formerly believed to be capable of prolonging life.

3. an alchemic preparation formerly believed to be capable of transmuting base metals into gold.

4. the quintessence or absolute embodiment of anything.

5. a panacea; cure-all; sovereign remedy.

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elixir British  

/ ɪˈlɪksə /

noun

1. an alchemical preparation supposed to be capable of prolonging life indefinitely ( elixir of life ) or of transmuting base metals into gold

2. anything that purports to be a sovereign remedy; panacea

3. an underlying principle; quintessence

4. a liquid containing a medicinal drug with syrup, glycerine, or alcohol added to mask its unpleasant taste

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• elixirs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of elixir

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin < Arabic al iksīr alchemical preparation < Late Greek xḗrion drying powder (for wounds), equivalent to Greek xēr ( ós ) dry + -ion, neuter of -ios adj. suffix

Explanation

Miraculous, magical, and maybe a little mysterious, an elixir is a sweet substance or solution that cures the problem at hand. Elixir is a word often used with a knowing wink — a sort of overstatement of a product's effectiveness, or a decision maker's policy. With linguistic roots in the long-ago alchemists' search for the philosophers' stone, the word has an element of fantasy to spice up anything, like a remedy for the common cold. The mythic fountain of youth is certainly an elixir, but it can also refer to a real liquid, concept, or plan.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

elixir elixirs

Filler: The magic elixir for bigger lips, fuller cheeks and Kardashianesque features is seeing a decline in U.S. sales.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

“Chadwick was a mighty, mighty elixir that sort of stirred up that alchemy that we’re all in search of, which is meaning.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 2025

If multipolarism seems like a magic elixir to many, today’s vessel of choice for it is the BRICS.

From Salon ● Nov. 10, 2025

As the two sides fought over the pot of elixir, a few drops spilled over and fell in four cities - Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik.

From BBC ● Jan. 13, 2025

“There’s a special elixir I’ve seen Miss Wren prepare for treating fever,” Addison said.

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs

Her Anima Mundi Herbals is based in Brooklyn, N.Y., where the company manufactures herbal tinctures, elixirs, teas, herbal supplements and other botanicals.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

More than a century ago, hucksters peddled magic elixirs from wagons.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 31, 2024

In one back room, a bar served elixirs.

From New York Times ● May 31, 2023

And this past year, Anchorage began releasing several stouts on Tavour, meaning every month or so you had an easier chance of trying the rare elixirs.

From Salon ● Feb. 15, 2022

"I brew my own Belle-rose elixir and mix it with other medicinal plants. The elixirs Madam Du Barry supplies aren't strong enough to withstand the types of changes I want."

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• cure-all
• panacea
• potion