anise

noun

an·​ise ˈa-nəs 

also ə-ˈnēs

: a Eurasian annual herb (Pimpinella anisum) of the carrot family having carminative and aromatic seeds

also : aniseed

Examples of anise in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The scent is located on a cotton swab with oils of birch, anise, clove and cypress. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 28 July 2026

The warm flavors of star anise, anise seed, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger flavor these simple skewers served with peanut sauce. — Jasmine Thompson, Midwest Living, 25 July 2026

Gavin cites anise hyssop as the kind of ingredient that can disrupt the entire balance. — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

The ingredients are listed as organic coconut water, organic jasmine tea, organic raw honey, organic holy basil, organic anise hyssop, organic green cardamom, organic white grape juice and organic coconut milk. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 12 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English anis, from Anglo-French, from Latin anisum, from Greek annēson, anison

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing anise

• star anise

Rhymes for anise

• anas
• canis
• manis
• mannose
• stannous
• johannes

Kids Definition

anise

noun

an·​ise ˈan-əs 

: an herb that is related to the carrot and produces seeds with an aroma

also : aniseed

Medical Definition

anise

noun

an·​ise ˈan-əs 

: an herb (Pimpinella anisum) of the family Apiaceae having carminative and aromatic seeds

also : aniseed