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

The naan's chewiness adds texture to every bite; its subtle flavour complements the gravy's spices and seasonings.

From BBC

Toasting spices in oil until they bloom and scent the kitchen with something almost magical.

From Salon

There will likely be no vistas of forest canopy, no shaded glens with water cascading through a tapestry of conifers, pine sap spicing the morning air.

From Los Angeles Times

I ended up batching three spice blends and gifting them alongside three corresponding recipes.

From Salon

It’s a particularly toothsome, sapid red marked by notes of red fruit and spice, and a wonderful match with a wide range of foods.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• salt
• seasoning