elixir

American  

[ih-lik-ser] / ɪˈlɪk sər /

noun

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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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

Served over ice in a short glass and topped with fruit-salad flotsam, the elixir is lightly caffeinated, mildly fruity and as refreshing as stepping out of the Hanoi humidity into full-blast air conditioning.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

But it all started with “Buckingham Nicks,” the sweet, magical elixir that fueled one of rock’s most enduring fusions.

From Salon • Sep. 19, 2025

What the spending has produced, though, is a renewed source of motivation among players — serving as a potential elixir for any World Series hangover.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 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

From tears, milk, and blood, devise an elixir, and my handmaidens will attend you.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull

Related Words

• cure-all
• panacea
• potion