pumpkin spice

noun

variants or less commonly pumpkin pie spice

: a mixture of usually cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and often allspice that is commonly used in pumpkin pie

Pumpkin spice is everywhere, and at this point you simply give in to the pounds you'll potentially gain from all the glorious spreads during the holidays.

—Chris Scott

By mixing in a few simple ingredients with pumpkin—think vanilla yogurt, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice and a sprinkling of graham cracker—you create a velvety pumpkin pie experience in a matter of seconds.

—Erika Chayes Wida

—often used before another noun

It's that time of year again—holiday decorations festoon the lampposts and store windows, the smell of pumpkin spice lattes pervades the air, and the chill of winter has settled in …

—Lee Hutchinson

With sweet potato pie, the same pumpkin pie spice blend … is used along with the pre-baked crust.

—WSOCTV.com

Examples of pumpkin spice in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For a traditional pumpkin spice latté, substitute espresso for the chai mixture. —Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 27 Oct. 2024

What to drink: A pumpkin spice cold brew with vanilla cold foam ($6). —Megan Stringer, Axios, 23 Oct. 2024

Find traditional favorites like an old-fashioned glazed donut, as well as seasonal offerings like pumpkin spice donuts in the fall. —Korrin Bishop, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2024

As temperatures cool and the smell of pumpkin spice hits the air, businesses are gearing up for intense holiday shopping sprees. —Sean Manning, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above