spice
any of a class of pungent or aromatic substances of vegetable origin, as pepper, cinnamon, or cloves, used as seasoning, preservatives, etc.
such substances collectively or as material: Cookies without spice can be tasteless.
a spicy or aromatic odor or fragrance.
something that gives zest: a spice of humor in his solemnity.
a piquant, interesting element or quality; zest; piquancy: The anecdotes lent spice to her talk.
Archaic. a small quantity of something; trace; bit.
to prepare or season with a spice or spices.
to give zest, piquancy, or interest to by something added.
Spice. a brand name for a synthetic cannabis compound.
Origin of spice
1Other words for spice
Other words from spice
- spice·a·ble, adjective
- spiceless, adjective
- spicelike, adjective
- o·ver·spice, verb, o·ver·spiced, o·ver·spic·ing.
- re·spice, verb (used with object), re·spiced, re·spic·ing.
- un·spiced, adjective
- well-spiced, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use spice in a sentence
Add the garam masala and turmeric and cook, stirring, until the spices release their aroma, 30 to 45 seconds.
How to make dal makhani, the most luxurious and creamy dal of all | Joe Yonan | November 20, 2020 | Washington PostJust stir them up with the spices and watch for the drink to start steaming.
This cocktail can keep you warm around the fire pit — and you can make it there, too | M. Carrie Allan | November 20, 2020 | Washington PostI think you’ve got a good head start with the oils, breadcrumbs, canned milks and dried spices.
Hints From Heloise: Staples to have on hand in the pantry | Heloise Heloise | November 19, 2020 | Washington PostYou should feel free to use this template to mix up the flavors of the spices and the glaze.
Harissa-glazed turkey legs with sweet potatoes deliver big flavor on a budget | Becky Krystal | November 10, 2020 | Washington PostTransfer to a spice grinder and process until very finely ground.
Orange-sriracha glazed duck and roasted fruit are a stunning sheet-pan dinner combination | Olga Massov | November 10, 2020 | Washington Post
Did you continually find yourself repeating, 'Respice finem!
A Day's Ride | Charles James LeverNihil tam que tibi proderit ad temperantiam, quam frequens cogitatio brevis vi, et incerti: Quicquid facis respice mortem.
A Christian Directory (Volume 1 of 4) | Richard BaxterTruly she did; but respice finem, or rather, we may say, we have lived to see the end.
Tradition | John Francis ArundellO anima Christiana, respice vulnera patientis, sanguinem morientis, pretium redemptionis.
The Cloister and the Hearth | Charles ReadeRespice et plange: first, 'Look and lament' or mourn; which is indeed the most kindly and natural effect of such a spectacle.
British Dictionary definitions for spice
/ (spaɪs) /
any of a variety of aromatic vegetable substances, such as ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, used as flavourings
these substances collectively
something that represents or introduces zest, charm, or gusto
rare a small amount
Yorkshire dialect confectionery
to prepare or flavour (food) with spices
to introduce charm or zest into
Origin of spice
1Derived forms of spice
- spicer, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with spice
see variety is the spice of life.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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