noun
elixir
ih-LIHK-suh
Elixir (noun) means a magical or legendary potion believed to cure any illness or grant eternal life. Example: “The old story tells of an elixir that could make its drinker immortal.”
noun
1
A magical or legendary potion believed to cure any illness or grant eternal life.
"The old story tells of an elixir that could make its drinker immortal."
2
Loosely, any remedy or liquid promoted as a cure-all.
"The salesman claimed his tonic was an elixir for every ailment."
"Some people treat a strong coffee as their morning elixir."
How to use elixir
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA magic potion that supposedly fixes everything, or (loosely) anything treated as a miracle cure.
Common pairings
a magic elixir
elixir of life
youth elixir
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Word forms
- Plural
- elixirs
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old story tells of an _____ that could make its drinker immortal.
Etymology
From Arabic al-iksir, "the philosopher's stone," itself borrowed from an ancient Greek word for a wound-drying powder.
Synonyms
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philosopher's stone
philosophers' stone
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “elixir” mean?
The word “elixir” means a magical or legendary potion believed to cure any illness or grant eternal life. In plain terms, a magic potion that supposedly fixes everything, or (loosely) anything treated as a miracle cure.
How do you pronounce “elixir”?
“Elixir” is pronounced ih-LIHK-suh (/ɪˈlɪksə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “elixir” in a sentence?
Here is “elixir” used in a sentence: “The old story tells of an elixir that could make its drinker immortal.”
What part of speech is “elixir”?
“Elixir” is a noun.
Where does the word “elixir” come from?
The word “elixir” comes from Ancient Greek. From Arabic al-iksir, "the philosopher's stone," itself borrowed from an ancient Greek word for a wound-drying powder.
How many meanings does “elixir” have?
“Elixir” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a magical or legendary potion believed to cure any illness or grant eternal life.
