spice

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

Synonyms of spice

• scent
• fragrance
• aroma
• fragrancy
• perfume

Examples of spice in a Sentence

The soup needs a little more spice.

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Our Recipe Our version doesn’t use a spice cake mix as so many others do. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 7 June 2026

This 3-in-1 set uses the nutribullet Ultra Motor Base to power personal blending, food processing, and coffee and spice grinding, delivering full-kitchen functionality within one space-saving design. —ABC News, 6 June 2026

The second way this strays from a Daiquiri is in its heavy dose of Angostura Bitters, which adds tons of texture and the flavors of baking spice. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 6 June 2026

There are many similarities between Indian and Nepalese cuisines in terms of spices and ingredients, and this breeds familiarity. —Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

13th 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