spice

1 of 2

noun

ˈspīs 

plural spices

1

: a plant product (such as pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, or ginger) that is used to season or flavor foods and is usually comprised of seeds, fruits, bark, or rhizomes that have been dried and typically ground

2

a

archaic : a small portion, quantity, or admixture : dash

b

: something that gives zest or relish

Variety's the very spice of life …

—William Cowper

3

: a pungent or fragrant odor : perfume

spiceless

ˈspīs-ləs 

adjective

spiceless food

spice

2 of 2

verb

spiced; spicing

transitive verb

1

: to season with spices

2

: to add zest or relish to

cynicism spiced with humor

—J. W. Dawson

—often used with up

Synonyms

Noun

• aroma
• attar
• otto
• balm
• bouquet
• fragrance
• fragrancy
• incense
• perfume
• redolence
• scent

Verb

• flavor
• lace
• savor
• savour
• season

Examples of spice in a Sentence

Noun

The soup needs a little more spice.

a cologne for men that captures all of the spice of the sea

Verb

I spiced the chicken with ginger.

spice the stew with more pepper

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

India has myriad curries throughout the subcontinent, and the region in the Sivaganga and Pudukottai districts are particularly well known for their masala spices which go into the chicken curry with coconut milk here ($20). —John Mariani, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024

One of my favorite soups is rasam, a simple but spicy South Indian dish made with tamarind, tomatoes, red chiles and other herbs and spices. —Anna Kodé, New York Times, 28 Dec. 2024

Verb

As temperatures took a dive, everyone reached for warm, earthy hues from chocolate brown to burgundy, and so too did leopard print re-enter the spotlight as everyone's go-to way to spice up a monochromatic look. —Rosana Lai, Glamour, 30 Dec. 2024

Lovers of eggnog will fall for its creaminess, warmth, and spice thanks to fresh nutmeg. —Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French espece, espis, from Late Latin species product, wares, drugs, spices, from Latin, appearance, species — more at species

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing spice

• five-spice powder
• pumpkin pie spice
• pumpkin spice
• spice rack
• variety is the spice of life

Kids Definition

spice

1 of 2 noun

ˈspīs 

1

: a plant product (as pepper or nutmeg) that has a strong pleasant smell and is used to season or flavor food

2

: something that adds interest

variety is the spice of life

3

: a fragrant odor : perfume

spice

2 of 2 verb

spiced; spicing

: to season with or as if with spices