spice

American  

[spahys] / spaɪs /

noun

1. any of a class of pungent or aromatic substances of vegetable origin, as pepper, cinnamon, or cloves, used as seasoning, preservatives, etc.

2. such substances collectively or as material.

   Cookies without spice can be tasteless.

3. a spicy or aromatic odor or fragrance.

4. something that gives zest.

   a spice of humor in his solemnity.

5. a piquant, interesting element or quality; zest; piquancy.

   The anecdotes lent spice to her talk.

   Synonyms:

   charm, interest, zing

6. Archaic. a small quantity of something; trace; bit.

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verb (used with object)

spiced, spicing

1. to prepare or season with a spice or spices.

2. to give zest, piquancy, or interest to by something added.

Trademark.

1. Spice. a brand name for a synthetic cannabis compound.

spice British  

/ spaɪs /

noun

1. 1. any of a variety of aromatic vegetable substances, such as ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, used as flavourings

   2. these substances collectively

2. something that represents or introduces zest, charm, or gusto

3. rare a small amount

4. dialect confectionery

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verb

1. to prepare or flavour (food) with spices

2. to introduce charm or zest into

spice Idioms  

1. see variety is the spice of life.

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Other Word Forms

• overspice verb
• respice verb (used with object)
• spiceable adjective
• spiceless adjective
• spicelike adjective
• spicer noun
• unspiced adjective
• well-spiced adjective

Etymology

Origin of spice

1175–1225; (noun) Middle English, aphetic form of Old French espice ( French épice ) from Latin speciēs “appearance, sort, kind” ( species ), in Late Latin (plural): “goods, wares, spices, drugs”; (verb) Middle English spicen, in part derivative of the noun, in part from Old French espicer, derivative of espice

Example Sentences

Tariff expenses added $70 million in gross costs last year, and will add another $70 million this year, according to spice maker McCormick & Co.

From The Wall Street Journal

"We all like spice, we're all human, we all like affection and I just thought 'let's give it a whirl'", she said.

From BBC

During his cooking demonstration, the audience would erupt into cheers whenever he exclaimed, “BAM!” while spicing up his dishes.

From The Wall Street Journal

All my spices and rice paper noodles; canned goods, condiments, vinegars, oils.

From The Wall Street Journal

Foreign flavor can be the thing to spice up any portfolio, but don’t ignore the virtues of home comforts.

From Barron's

Related Words

• salt
• seasoning