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

It acquired Canada’s largest spice firm in 1959, and nabbed a California-based vegetable dehydrating plant in 1961.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

The deal comes as McCormick, which sells French’s mustard, Old Bay seasoning and Frank’s RedHot sauces along with its spice range, was struggling as consumers’ spending and eating habits are in flux.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

More acquisitions followed, as the company branched into packaging, frozen foods and flavor ingredients, all while continuing to add to its spice portfolio.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

McCormick fell 1.4% after Unilever confirmed it had received an inbound offer for its foods business from the spice and seasoning maker.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

The door on the left takes you up to the spice storage area, attic and loft in the front part of the house.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank

Related Words

• salt
• seasoning