1
: any of various aromatic vegetable products (such as pepper or nutmeg) used to season or flavor foods
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
William Cowper3
: a pungent or fragrant odor : perfume
spiced; spicing
1
: to season with spices
2
: to add zest or relish to
cynicism spiced with humor—J. W. Dawson
—often used with up
J. W. DawsonSynonyms
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 WebThe Know, The Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2024
There are homemade cookies, pastries and fudge, pickled quail eggs, candied jalapenos, barbecue spices and sauces, and walls of beef jerky and candy.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2024
Its mild flavor quickly absorbs the taste of spices and other ingredients called for in recipes.
—Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 13 Apr. 2024
For Kad, Indian food is more than just cream and ghee and a liberal use of spices.
—The Enquirer, 12 Apr. 2024
The sepals of the deep pink flowers are steeped with soul-warming spices and sugar to make a heady, floral refresher.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 11 Apr. 2024
Founder Jing Gao and her team also makes an excellent nuanced Mala spice for dusting proteins and Zhong sauce for dipping dumplings and more.
—Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 9 Apr. 2024
The dense seeds require a good amount of seasoning, so don’t be shy with your spices and aromatics.
—Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
If counter space is scarce, look no further than your refrigerator for a new place to store spices.
—Ali Faccenda, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024
If Sacramento’s happy hour scene is getting predictable, maybe an evening surrounded by zoo animals will spice things up.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 16 Apr. 2024
Rent the Runway’s value proposition depends on its inventory, ease of use, and curation; customers turn to the service to spice up their day-to-day wardrobes, participate in trends, solve problems like not knowing what to wear to work, and dress themselves for special events and travel.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2024
This issue wouldn’t be possible without the help of Garnier, our 50th anniversary sponsor Smirnoff (the brand will be spicing up the opening night of our special exhibit at Fotografiska in New York City on May 9) and, most of all, you, our loyal readers.
—Wendy Naugle, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
The spread, priced at $14, comes with queso, pickled jalapeno, taco spiced burger patty, sour cream, and a Frito crumble.
—Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 1 Apr. 2024
For starters, this earthy young lady spices her everyday sentences with the saltiest of language.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Mar. 2024
And, there's also some subtle color-blocking happening on the outsoles to help spice up your favorite travel outfits.
—Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024
Tweens can watch movies with the family, play video games with friends, or watch the game on Sundays in an innovative way that’s sure to spice up any gathering.
—Deanna McCormack, Parents, 19 Mar. 2024
Noun
Supporting character Child adds spice to this story — but don’t expect recipes.
—The Know, The Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2024
There are homemade cookies, pastries and fudge, pickled quail eggs, candied jalapenos, barbecue spices and sauces, and walls of beef jerky and candy.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2024
Its mild flavor quickly absorbs the taste of spices and other ingredients called for in recipes.
—Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 13 Apr. 2024
For Kad, Indian food is more than just cream and ghee and a liberal use of spices.
—The Enquirer, 12 Apr. 2024
The sepals of the deep pink flowers are steeped with soul-warming spices and sugar to make a heady, floral refresher.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 11 Apr. 2024
Founder Jing Gao and her team also makes an excellent nuanced Mala spice for dusting proteins and Zhong sauce for dipping dumplings and more.
—Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 9 Apr. 2024
The dense seeds require a good amount of seasoning, so don’t be shy with your spices and aromatics.
—Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
If counter space is scarce, look no further than your refrigerator for a new place to store spices.
—Ali Faccenda, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
Verb
Brendan Morrow Victoria Beckham is spicing up her 50th birthday.
—USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024
If Sacramento’s happy hour scene is getting predictable, maybe an evening surrounded by zoo animals will spice things up.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 16 Apr. 2024
Rent the Runway’s value proposition depends on its inventory, ease of use, and curation; customers turn to the service to spice up their day-to-day wardrobes, participate in trends, solve problems like not knowing what to wear to work, and dress themselves for special events and travel.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2024
This issue wouldn’t be possible without the help of Garnier, our 50th anniversary sponsor Smirnoff (the brand will be spicing up the opening night of our special exhibit at Fotografiska in New York City on May 9) and, most of all, you, our loyal readers.
—Wendy Naugle, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
The spread, priced at $14, comes with queso, pickled jalapeno, taco spiced burger patty, sour cream, and a Frito crumble.
—Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 1 Apr. 2024
For starters, this earthy young lady spices her everyday sentences with the saltiest of language.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Mar. 2024
And, there's also some subtle color-blocking happening on the outsoles to help spice up your favorite travel outfits.
—Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024
Tweens can watch movies with the family, play video games with friends, or watch the game on Sundays in an innovative way that’s sure to spice up any gathering.
—Deanna McCormack, Parents, 19 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spice.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near spice
Cite this Entry
“Spice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spice. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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