Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense spices, present participle spicing, past tense, past participle spiced
1. variable noun
A spice is a part of a plant, or a powder made from that part, which you put in food to give it flavour. Cinnamon, ginger, and paprika are spices.
...herbs and spices.
...a row of spice jars.
Synonyms: seasoning, condiment More Synonyms of spice
2. verb
If you spice something that you say or do, you add excitement or interest to it.
They spiced their conversations and discussions with intrigue. [VERB noun + with]
...a boring film spiced with the occasional funny moment. [VERB-ed]
Spice up means the same as spice.
Her publisher wants her to spice up her stories with sex. [VERBPARTICLE noun]
...a discovery which spiced the conversation up quite a bit. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
3. uncountable noun
Spice is something which makes life more exciting.
Variety is the spice of life!
To add spice to the debate, they disagreed about method and ideology.
Phrasal verbs:
See spice up
More Synonyms of spice
spice in British English
(spaɪs)
noun
1.
a.
any of a variety of aromatic vegetable substances, such as ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, used as flavourings
b.
these substances collectively
2.
something that represents or introduces zest, charm, or gusto
3. rare
a small amount
4. Yorkshire dialect
confectionery
5. informal
a synthetic drug that has similar effects to those produced by cannabis
verb(transitive)
6.
to prepare or flavour (food) with spices
7.
to introduce charm or zest into
Derived forms
spicer (ˈspicer)
noun
Word origin
C13: from Old French espice, from Late Latin speciēs (pl) spices, from Latin speciēs (sing) kind; also associated with Late Latin spīcea (unattested) fragrant herb, from Latin spīceus having spikes of foliage; see spica
spice in American English
(spaɪs)
noun
1.
a.
any of several vegetable substances, as cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, or pepper, used to season food; spices are usually dried for use and have distinctive flavors and aromas
b.
such substances collectively or as a material
2.
a spicy fragrance or aroma
3.
that which adds zest, piquancy, or interest
4. Archaic
a small bit; trace
verb transitiveWord forms: spiced or ˈspicing
5.
to season or flavor with spice
6.
to add zest, piquancy, or interest to
Word origin
ME < OFr espice < L species (see species): in LL, wares, assorted goods, esp. spices and drugs
More idioms containing
spice
variety is the spice of life
Examples of 'spice' in a sentence
spice
Transfer to a bowl and mix well with the ground spice mix.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You can spice up your life and help a great cause too.
The Sun (2010)
For drinking young with some fruit in the flavour and spice in the bouquet.
Lockspeiser, Jerry & Gear, Jackie Thorsons Organic Wine Guide (1991)
They need to learn how to prepare spices.
The Sun (2013)
The hotel gardens produce herbs and spices.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Variety adds spice to your marriage and joy to your husband.
Christianity Today (2000)
Sugar and spice and all things nice.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
When they come to us we need to spice things up.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Links with the sports world will add spice to your life.
The Sun (2010)
Put the spice mixture in a food processor with the peppers.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Mix the spices and salt together and coat the fish until completely covered.
The Sun (2016)
And that dusty spice flavour reminds you of cheap mulled wine.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Some might say variety is the spice of life.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Good winemakers use oak to season their wines in the same way that top chefs use herbs and spices.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Put 50g of the caster sugar in a saucepan with the spices and orange zest.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It's the prodigal royals we remember who so often give history its spice.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Melt the butter in a pan, add the ginger and the spices.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
One of the components of Chinese five spice powder.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Prepare the spices and flavourings.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It serves one and tastes as good as it looks - the aromatic spices are nicely set off by a lightly spiced tomato sauce.
The Sun (2011)
To make the spice cure, zest the orange, trim the chilli and peel the shallot.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Look out for: a creamy consistency with unbroken pieces of rice, plus a balance of sweetness and nutmeg spice.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
spice
British English: spice /spaɪs/ NOUN
A spice is a part of a plant, or a powder made from that part, which you put in food to give it flavour.
...herbs and spices.
American English: spice
Arabic: تَابِل
Brazilian Portuguese: especiaria
Chinese: 香料
Croatian: začin
Czech: koření
Danish: krydderi
Dutch: specerij
European Spanish: especia
Finnish: mauste
French: épice
German: Gewürz
Greek: μπαχαρικό
Italian: spezia
Japanese: 香辛料
Korean: 향신료
Norwegian: krydder
Polish: przyprawa
European Portuguese: especiaria
Romanian: condiment
Russian: специя
Latin American Spanish: especia
Swedish: krydda
Thai: เครื่องเทศ
Turkish: baharat
Ukrainian: спеція
Vietnamese: gia vị
All related terms of 'spice'
spice up
mixed spice
a mixture of ground spices sold for use in cooking , usually containing nutmeg , cinnamon and cloves
spice route
an ancient trade route followed by merchants , importers and exporters trading in exotic spices such as cloves and cinnamon
Spice Islands
the → Moluccas
variety is the spice of life
said to mean that doing and seeing a lot of different things makes life more enjoyable and interesting
Chinese translation of 'spice'
spice
(spaɪs)
n(c/u)
香料 (xiāngliào)
vt
to spice sth (up) with (fig) 用 ... 为(為)某物增添趣味 (yòng ... wèi mǒuwù zēngtiān qùwèi)
1 (noun)
Definition
an aromatic substance, such as ginger or cinnamon, used as flavouring
herbs and spices
Synonyms
seasoning
seasonings such as cayenne, paprika and ginger
condiment
2 (noun)
Definition
something that makes life or an activity more exciting
The spice of danger will add to the lure.
Synonyms
excitement
kick (informal)
The coffee had more of a kick than it seemed on first tasting.
zest
Lemon oil adds zest to your cuppa.
colour
The ceremony brought a touch of colour to the normally drab proceedings.
pep
They need something to put the pep back in their lives.
zip (informal)
He gave the choreography his usual class and zip.
tang
Some liked its strong, fruity tang.
zap (slang)
gusto
Hers was a minor part, but she played it with gusto.
zing (informal)
He just lacked that extra zing.
piquancy
These facts lent a certain piquancy to the case.
phrasal verb
See spice something up
see also subject word lists:
See Herbs, spices and seasonings
Additional synonyms
in the sense of colour
Definition
details which give vividness or authenticity
The ceremony brought a touch of colour to the normally drab proceedings.
Synonyms
liveliness,
life,
interest,
excitement,
animation,
zest
in the sense of gusto
Definition
vigorous enjoyment
Hers was a minor part, but she played it with gusto.
Synonyms
relish,
enthusiasm,
appetite,
appreciation,
liking,
delight,
pleasure,
enjoyment,
savour,
zeal,
verve,
zest,
fervour,
exhilaration,
brio,
zing (informal)
in the sense of kick
The coffee had more of a kick than it seemed on first tasting.
Synonyms
pungency,
force,
power,
edge,
strength,
snap (informal),
punch,
intensity,
pep,
sparkle,
vitality,
verve,
zest,
potency,
tang,
piquancy
Synonyms of 'spice'
spice
Explore 'spice' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of pep
Definition
high spirits, energy, or vitality
They need something to put the pep back in their lives.
Synonyms
energy,
life,
spirit,
zip (informal),
vitality,
animation,
vigour,
verve,
high spirits,
gusto,
welly (slang),
get-up-and-go (informal),
brio,
vivacity,
liveliness,
vim
in the sense of piquancy
These facts lent a certain piquancy to the case.
Synonyms
interest,
pep,
zip (informal),
vitality,
colour,
spirit,
excitement,
vigour,
zing (informal),
raciness,
pizzazz or pizazz (informal)
in the sense of tang
Definition
a strong sharp taste or smell
Some liked its strong, fruity tang.
Synonyms
taste,
bite,
flavour,
edge,
relish,
smack,
savour,
zest,
sharpness,
piquancy,
spiciness,
zestiness
in the sense of zest
Definition
added interest, flavour, or charm
Lemon oil adds zest to your cuppa.
Synonyms
flavour,
taste,
savour,
kick (informal),
spice,
relish,
smack,
tang,
piquancy,
pungency
in the sense of zing
Definition
the quality in something that makes it lively or interesting