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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 notes

In 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

Word forms

elixirs plural

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Fill the gap

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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.

Origin: Ancient Greek

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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial