ginger
1 of 2noun
gin·ger ˈjin-jər 
1
a(1)
: a thickened pungent aromatic rhizome that is used as a spice and sometimes medicinally
(2)
: the spice usually prepared by drying and grinding ginger
b
: any of a genus (Zingiber of the family Zingiberaceae, the ginger family) of herbs with pungent aromatic rhizomes
especially : a widely cultivated tropical herb (Z. officinale) that supplies most commercial ginger compare wild ginger
2
: pep
the ginger to … work hard
Willa Cather
Willa Cather3
a
: a light reddish or reddish-brown color
ginger hair
b
chiefly British, sometimes offensive : a person with red hair : redhead sense 1
The Breda Redhead Days festival—which grew out of a photo shoot by Dutch artist Bart Rouwenhorst—now attracts five or six thousand gingers from around the world. Bruce Ingram
Bruce Ingram gingery
ˈjin-jə-rē
adjective ˈjinj-
ginger
2 of 2verb
gingered; gingering ˈjin-jə-riŋ
ˈjinj-
transitive verb
: to make lively : pep up
ginger up the tourist trade The New York Times
The New York Times
Synonyms
Noun
- beans
- bounce
- brio
- dash
- drive
- dynamism
- energy
- esprit
- gas
- get-up-and-go
- go
- gusto
- hardihood
- juice
- life
- moxie
- oomph
- pep
- punch
- sap
- snap
- starch
- verve
- vigor
- vim
- vinegar
- vitality
- zing
- zip
Verb
- amp (up)
- animate
- brace
- energize
- enliven
- fillip
- fire
- invigorate
- jazz (up)
- juice up
- jump-start
- liven (up)
- pep (up)
- quicken
- spike
- stimulate
- vitalize
- vivify
- zip (up)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun The recipe calls for a teaspoon of ginger. a 60-year-old with the ginger to consider skydiving lessons
Recent Examples on the Web Michael Klein, Philly.com, 19 July 2017 Slice banana bread diagonally and place on top of ginger crème anglaise. Nancy Miller, The Courier-Journal, 4 July 2017 Their line of cans range from a spicy ginger-beer and rum to a gin and tonic infused with crisp cucumber and grapefruit. Hillary Eaton, Fortune, 17 June 2017 Their Tung Po pork belly arrives in the petite lidded pot it’s cooked in, kept warm over a candle that continues to thicken and caramelize the dark, ginger and soy sauce. Providence Cicero, The Seattle Times, 15 June 2017 Raw, berry-sized Thai eggplants are snappy, slightly bitter surprises in an earthy green short rib curry, with extra layers of flavor from ginger-like finger root and basil. Jodi Mailander Farrell, miamiherald, 29 June 2017 Signature menu items include a lobster and avocado salad, served with a miso-ginger dressing, and a strip steak. Sam Dangremond, Town & Country, 26 June 2017 PreparationProcess shallot, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, jalapeño, coriander, cumin, ½ cup cilantro, and 1 Tbsp. Bon Appetit, 26 June 2017 The vegetable is salted and then usually rubbed with chili powder, garlic, ginger and scallions. Anna Fifield, Washington Post, 22 June 2017 The Salt Lake Tribune, 7 July 2022 Instructions: Combine broth, apple juice, lemon juice, and ginger in a pitcher or cocktail shaker and whisk or shake well. Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 16 June 2022 Green Clean balm—a cleanser formulated with turmeric, moringa extract, papaya enzymes, as well as sunflower and ginger root oils to melt away residue for hydrated, smooth skin. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2022 Place the scallions, garlic, and ginger on the plate, then place the chicken over them, skin side up. Tse Wei Lim, BostonGlobe.com, 7 June 2022 In the episode, Kardashian and Barker were assisted by Martha Soffer, who guided them through dietary changes as well as treatments including a vaginal steam and ginger foot bath as a part of their pre-conception care. Jenna Ryu, USA TODAY, 27 May 2022 Mario Badescu’s Deodorant is formulated with cleansing sage, cucumber, and ginger root oils. Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 10 May 2022 The apple, cucumber, and ginger Fortitude blend provides a refreshing hit after a sweaty run. The Editors, Outside Online, 14 May 2015 The product contains a soothing blend of rosemary leaf oil, chamomile oil, and ginger root extract to provide anti-inflammatory and relaxing effects. The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 Apr. 2022 See More
Noun
Mixmaster Charles Griffin’s uses Pimm’s No. 1, lemonade, fruits and club soda, vs. the more familiar 7Up or ginger ale. Michael Klein, Philly.com, 19 July 2017 Slice banana bread diagonally and place on top of ginger crème anglaise. Nancy Miller, The Courier-Journal, 4 July 2017 Their line of cans range from a spicy ginger-beer and rum to a gin and tonic infused with crisp cucumber and grapefruit. Hillary Eaton, Fortune, 17 June 2017 Their Tung Po pork belly arrives in the petite lidded pot it’s cooked in, kept warm over a candle that continues to thicken and caramelize the dark, ginger and soy sauce. Providence Cicero, The Seattle Times, 15 June 2017 Raw, berry-sized Thai eggplants are snappy, slightly bitter surprises in an earthy green short rib curry, with extra layers of flavor from ginger-like finger root and basil. Jodi Mailander Farrell, miamiherald, 29 June 2017 Signature menu items include a lobster and avocado salad, served with a miso-ginger dressing, and a strip steak. Sam Dangremond, Town & Country, 26 June 2017 PreparationProcess shallot, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, jalapeño, coriander, cumin, ½ cup cilantro, and 1 Tbsp. Bon Appetit, 26 June 2017 The vegetable is salted and then usually rubbed with chili powder, garlic, ginger and scallions. Anna Fifield, Washington Post, 22 June 2017 Verb
Elderberry, echinacea, and ginger root contribute immunity-enhancing antioxidants. The Salt Lake Tribune, 7 July 2022 Instructions: Combine broth, apple juice, lemon juice, and ginger in a pitcher or cocktail shaker and whisk or shake well. Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 16 June 2022 Green Clean balm—a cleanser formulated with turmeric, moringa extract, papaya enzymes, as well as sunflower and ginger root oils to melt away residue for hydrated, smooth skin. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2022 Place the scallions, garlic, and ginger on the plate, then place the chicken over them, skin side up. Tse Wei Lim, BostonGlobe.com, 7 June 2022 In the episode, Kardashian and Barker were assisted by Martha Soffer, who guided them through dietary changes as well as treatments including a vaginal steam and ginger foot bath as a part of their pre-conception care. Jenna Ryu, USA TODAY, 27 May 2022 Mario Badescu’s Deodorant is formulated with cleansing sage, cucumber, and ginger root oils. Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 10 May 2022 The apple, cucumber, and ginger Fortitude blend provides a refreshing hit after a sweaty run. The Editors, Outside Online, 14 May 2015 The product contains a soothing blend of rosemary leaf oil, chamomile oil, and ginger root extract to provide anti-inflammatory and relaxing effects. The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, alteration of Old English gingifer, from Medieval Latin gingiber, alteration of Latin zingiber, from Greek zingiberi, of Indo-Aryan origin; akin to Pali siṅgivēra ginger
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Verb
1844, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing ginger
Kids Definition
ginger
noun
gin·ger ˈjin-jər
: a hot spice obtained from the root of a tropical plant and used especially to season foods
Medical Definition
ginger
noun
gin·ger ˈjin-jər
1
a
: a thickened pungent aromatic rhizome that is used as a spice and sometimes in medicine
b
: the spice usually prepared by drying and grinding ginger
2
: any of a genus (Zingiber of the family Zingiberaceae, the ginger family) of herbs with pungent aromatic rhizomes
especially : a widely cultivated tropical herb (Z. officinale) that supplies most of the ginger of commerce
ginger
noun
as in juice
active strength of body or mind a 60-year-old with the ginger to consider skydiving lessons Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- juice
- energy
- vigor
- vinegar
- gas
- beans
- starch
- life
- pep
- zing
- dash
- stamina
- punch
- strength
- muscle
- vim
- spirit
- sap
- gusto
- brio
- vitality
- verve
- power
- drive
- oomph
- moxie
- bounce
- zeal
- esprit
- dynamism
- zip
- go
- spunk
- hardihood
- snap
- passion
- animation
- get-up-and-go
- spunkiness
- fitness
- snappiness
- fire
- vivacity
- metal
- sprightliness
- animal spirits
- briskness
- vivaciousness
- vibrancy
- virility
- vibrance
- liveliness
- health
- jauntiness
- huskiness
- spiritedness
- potency
- soundness
- fervor
- mettle
- élan
- hardiness
- might
- ardor
- wellness
- brawniness
- healthiness
- main
- verdure
- sturdiness
- puissance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lethargy
- tenderness
- sluggishness
- softness
- weakness
- listlessness
- delicacy
- torpidity
- impotence
- indolence
- laziness
- debility
- impotency
- faintness
- exhaustion
- powerlessness
- feebleness
- frailty
- disablement
- enfeeblement
- debilitation
- infirmity
- prostration
- puniness
- inanition
- slightness
- frailness
- enervation