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

The palate exhibits cinnamon waffle cone, caramel apple, orange, peach, lovely rye spice, and vibrant mint. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Mixed with spices or other seasonings like gochujang, bouillon paste becomes an instant, lusty glaze for chicken breasts, Halloumi cheese, or cross-hatched eggplants, ready to sear in a pan or char under the broiler. —Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appétit, 11 Dec. 2024

Verb

Of course, for the less sentimental among us, Hulu also has some less holly jolly options to spice things up, including classics like Die Hard (1988) and newer films like Spencer (2021). —Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024

Bookie returns to Max December 12 with a familiar face and the appearance of two TV comedy vets who were recruited to help spice up the action around the sports betting world. —Lynette Rice, Deadline, 12 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