spice

1 of 2

noun

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 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 humorJ. W. Dawson
often used with up

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
When brewed with both milk and water, the cardamom-rich spice blend spreads a soothing warmth through my entire soul. Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025 Blossoming flowers in all variations serve as a versatile base, contrasting and blending numerous notes—from fresh citrus to woody spice—for a scent profile that’s far more unique. Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
Accentuate the curves of your sloped lawn to spice up a basic plot. Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 18 Apr. 2025 That was the discussion spicing up a court hearing last week. — MOVING ON UP: L.A.’s Housing Authority is converting the Clarendon Apartments — a 335-unit luxury building in Woodland Hills with poolside cabanas, a fire pit terrace and an eye-catching community room — into affordable housing. David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spice

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of spice was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spice. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

spice

1 of 2 noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on spice

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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