spice

Pluralspices

Formsspices, spicing, spiced

1. 1
   nouncountable or uncountable

   Dried plant parts like pepper or cinnamon, used to add flavor to food.

   Like adding salt to make plain food taste better.

   Cinnamon is a spice that comes from tree bark.

   He keeps many spices in jars on the kitchen shelf.

   Similarseasoning, flavoring

   Note
2. 2
   verbtransitive

   To add flavoring like pepper or herbs to food.

   Like adding flavor to plain food to make it taste better.

   She likes to spice her soup with fresh chili.

   We spiced the meat before cooking it.

   Similarseason, flavor

3. 3
   nounfigurativelyuncountable

   Something exciting or interesting that makes a thing more fun.

   Like a bit of color in a plain gray picture.

   Travel adds a little spice to an ordinary life.

   The new game brought some spice to our quiet weekend.

   Similarzest, excitement, interest, flavor, color

   Oppositedullness

   Note
4. 4
   verbtransitive

   To make something more exciting or interesting.

   Like adding bright colors to a plain room.

   They added music to spice the dull party.

   A few jokes spiced his long speech.

   Similarenliven, brighten

5. 5
   noununcountable

   The hot, strong taste that some foods have.

   Like the burn you feel from eating a hot pepper.

   This curry has too much spice for me.

   I love the spice in hot wings.

   Similarspiciness

6. 6
   nouncountable or uncountable

   A slight trace of a quality that gives something its character.

   Like a pinch of salt that you can just taste.

   Her story had a spice of danger that kept us listening.

   There was a spice of humor in his serious speech.

   Similarhint, touch, trace, tinge, dash

7. 7
   nouncountable or uncountable

   A pleasant smell like that of herbs or sweet plants.

   Like the smell of cinnamon rolls in the oven.

   The warm spice of baking bread filled the kitchen.

   I love the spice of pine trees in winter.

   Similararoma, fragrance, scent, perfume

8. 8
   noununcountable

   A man-made drug sprayed on plant leaves and smoked to feel high.

   Like a lab-made copy of a natural plant drug.

   Police warned that spice can be far more dangerous than it looks.

   He ended up in the hospital after smoking spice.

9. 9
   noununcountable

   Sexual stories or pictures meant to excite the reader.

   The novel had a bit of spice that surprised some readers.

   She skips the spice and reads books for the plot.

   Similarsmut, erotica

   Note
10. 10
    noundialectalYorkshireuncountable

    Sweets and candy, the kind children enjoy as treats.

    The children spent their coins on spice at the corner shop.

    Grandma always kept a tin of spice for visitors.

    Similarsweets, candy, confectionery

    Note

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