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

Noun

• aroma
• attar
• otto
• balm
• bouquet
• fragrance
• fragrancy
• incense
• perfume
• redolence
• scent

Verb

• flavor
• lace
• savor
• savour
• season

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

Suraj Aryal is bringing the spice back to a vacant Sunnyside restaurant property. —Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 7 May 2025

Culinary students contribute to the farm stand by preparing and selling items such as spices, sriracha hot sauce, salsa and seasonings. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2025

Verb

The grand opening celebration will feature authentic Jamaican street food, music, drinks, and a vibrant sampling of Caribbean groceries that aim to spice up local kitchens the island way. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2025

Meanwhile, there’s Tami, lost for half the movie in the sewers underground after Craig leads her down there trying to spice things up (whoever thought that would end well?). —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 9 May 2025

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