spice

1 of 2

noun

ˈspīs 

plural spices

1

: a plant product (such as pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, or ginger) that is used to season or flavor foods and is usually comprised of seeds, fruits, bark, or rhizomes that have been dried and typically ground

2

a

archaic : a small portion, quantity, or admixture : dash

b

: something that gives zest or relish

Variety's the very spice of life …

—William Cowper

3

: a pungent or fragrant odor : perfume

spiceless

ˈspīs-ləs 

adjective

spiceless food

spice

2 of 2

verb

spiced; spicing

transitive verb

1

: to season with spices

2

: to add zest or relish to

… cynicism spiced with humor.

—J. W. Dawson

—often used with up

Synonyms of spice

Noun

• scent
• fragrance
• aroma
• fragrancy
• perfume

Verb

• flavor

Examples of spice in a Sentence

Noun

The soup needs a little more spice.

a cologne for men that captures all of the spice of the sea

Verb

I spiced the chicken with ginger.

spice the stew with more pepper

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The clean, bright flavors of Vietnamese food, combined with the earthy, smoky spice of Cajun cuisine. — Luke Burbank, CBS News, 28 June 2026

Arid deserts, tall grasses, sandalwood heating up with cardamom and other spices—this rugged solar floral has it all. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 28 June 2026

Verb

The sauce is generously spiced and perfectly savory. — Peter St. Onge updated June 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2026

The ultimate luxury swimwear brand for poolside minimalists, Araks keeps its high-quality bikinis and one-piece suits relatively unadorned, opting to spice up its designs with contrasting piping and clever darting over flashier add-ons like fringe or bling. — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 24 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French espece, espis, from Late Latin species product, wares, drugs, spices, from Latin, appearance, species — more at species

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing spice

• five-spice powder
• pumpkin pie spice
• pumpkin spice
• spice rack
• variety is the spice of life

Rhymes for spice

• dice
• feis
• gneiss
• grice
• ice
• lice
• mice
• slice
• splice
• thrice
• trice
• twice

Kids Definition

spice

1 of 2 noun

ˈspīs 

1

: a plant product (as pepper or nutmeg) that has a strong pleasant smell and is used to season or flavor food

2

: something that adds interest

variety is the spice of life

3

: a fragrant odor : perfume

spice

2 of 2 verb

spiced; spicing

: to season with or as if with spices