spicenoun
uk/spaɪs/us/spaɪs/spice noun (FOOD)
B1 [ C or U ] a substance made from a plant, used to give a special flavour to food:
Cinnamon, ginger, and cloves are all spices.
Spices are widely used in South Asian cooking.
More examples
- Make sure the spices are finely ground.
- A large range of herbs and spices are used in Indian cookery.
- Liven up your meals with fresh herbs and spices.
- Use a pestle and mortar to crush the spices.
- You'll get more flavour from the spices if you grind them into a powder.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Herbs & spices
- allspice
- basil
- bay leaf
- black pepper
- borage
- caper
- cinnamon
- condiment
- coriander
- cumin
- curry paste
- jalapeño
- lemon grass
- mace
- marjoram
- masala
- spearmint
- tarragon
- thyme
- turmeric
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spice noun (INTEREST)
C2 [ S or U ] something that makes something else more exciting and interesting:
A scandal or two adds a little spice to office life.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Excitement, interest, energy and enthusiasm
- a new lease of life idiom
- alacrity
- animation
- ardour
- avid
- flap
- frisky
- frisson
- get-up-and-go
- glamour
- gusto
- shiver (up and) down your spine idiom
- sparkle
- spirit
- sprightly
- stimulation
- stir
- suspense
- zap
- zest
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spice noun (DRUG)
[ U ] slang an artificial drug that has similar effects to those produced by the illegal drug cannabis
spiceverb [ T ]
uk/spaɪs/us/spaɪs/to use spice to add flavour to food or drink:
coffee spiced with cinnamon
a highly spiced curry
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Preparing food
- butter
- can't boil an egg idiom
- caramelize
- carve
- clarified
- cube
- dice
- fold
- knead
- leaven
- liquidize
- malt
- marinade
- salt
- slow food
- stuffed
- sweeten
- thicken
- thin
- whip sth up
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Phrasal verb(s)
spice sth up