spice
spys
Spice (noun) means a dried plant substance, such as pepper or cinnamon, used to flavor food. Example: “The curry was rich with spices like cumin, turmeric, and coriander.”
noun
1
A dried plant substance, such as pepper or cinnamon, used to flavor food.
"The curry was rich with spices like cumin, turmeric, and coriander."
"She keeps her spices in small labeled jars above the stove."
"Cinnamon is a popular spice that gives apple pie its warm, sweet smell."
2
Something that adds interest, excitement, or flavor to an experience, not necessarily food-related.
"A bit of friendly rivalry adds spice to the weekly quiz night."
"Travel gave their otherwise routine lives some much-needed spice."
"The surprise guest added a little spice to an otherwise dull dinner party."
verb
1
To season food with spices, or to make something more interesting.
"He spiced the stew with extra chili for a kick."
"The comedian spiced up her set with a few personal stories."
"We spiced the roast potatoes with paprika and a pinch of black pepper."
How to use spice
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA flavoring for food, or by extension, anything that adds interest or excitement.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a pinch of spice
spice up your life
exotic spices
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Word forms
- Plural
- spices
- Third person singular
- spices
- Past tense
- spiced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The curry was rich with _____ like cumin, turmeric, and coriander.
Etymology
From Old French espice, going back to Latin speciēs, originally meaning "kind" or "sort" — the same root that gives us "species."
Related words
Rhymes for spice
See all rhymes for spice →Frequently asked questions
What does “spice” mean?
The word “spice” means a dried plant substance, such as pepper or cinnamon, used to flavor food. In plain terms, a flavoring for food, or by extension, anything that adds interest or excitement.
How do you pronounce “spice”?
“Spice” is pronounced spys (/spaɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “spice” in a sentence?
Here is “spice” used in a sentence: “The curry was rich with spices like cumin, turmeric, and coriander.”
What part of speech is “spice”?
Depending on how it is used, “spice” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “spice” come from?
The word “spice” comes from Latin. From Old French espice, going back to Latin speciēs, originally meaning "kind" or "sort" — the same root that gives us "species.".
Is “spice” a common word?
“Spice” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “spice” have?
“Spice” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a dried plant substance, such as pepper or cinnamon, used to flavor food.
What is the difference between a spice and a herb?
Spices come from the dried seeds, bark, roots, or fruit of a plant, such as pepper, cinnamon, or nutmeg. Herbs come from the leafy green parts of a plant, such as basil or parsley, so the difference lies in which part of the plant is used.
What is the difference between a spice and a seasoning?
A spice is a specific aromatic substance made from dried plant material. Seasoning is a broader term for anything added to food to improve its flavour, including salt, herbs, and spice blends, so all spices are seasonings but not all seasonings are spices.
Is spice a countable or uncountable noun?
Spice can be both. It is countable when referring to individual types, as in 'several spices,' and uncountable when referring to flavour in general, as in 'this dish needs more spice.'
