ingredient

in·gre·di·ent

noun \in-ˈgrē-dē-ənt\

Definition of INGREDIENT

: something that enters into a compound or is a component part of any combination or mixture : constituent

— ingredient adjective

Examples of INGREDIENT

1. He uses only the finest ingredients in his cooking.
2. the ingredients of a salad
3. the ingredients in the soap
4. Honesty is an essential ingredient of a successful marriage.
5. The show has all the ingredients needed to attract a large audience.

Origin of INGREDIENT

Middle English, from Latin ingredient-, ingrediens, present participle of ingredi to go into, from in- + gradi to go — more at grade

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to INGREDIENT

Synonyms: building block, component, constituent, factor, element, member

Antonyms: whole

Related Words: basis, part and parcel; detail, item, particular, point; aspect, characteristic, facet, feature, trait; division, fragment, particle, partition, piece, portion, section, sector, segment; subcomponent

Near Antonyms: aggregate, composite, compound, mass; entirety, sum, summation, total, totality; admixture, amalgam, amalgamation, blend, combination, intermixture, mix, mixture

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See Synonym Discussion at element

Rhymes with INGREDIENT

expedient, obedient, submediant