spice

spice — noun

1. Parts of plants such as seeds, bark, or dried roots that cooks add to food to gi

1.nounA2
Definition

Parts of plants such as seeds, bark, or dried roots that cooks add to food to give it a stronger taste or aroma.

Example

Sahil added cinnamon and other warm spices to the apple cake batter.

collocation: add spice to food

The market sells fresh spices from all over the world.

Common collocations
  • add spice
  • a blend of spices
  • fresh spice
  • dried spice
  • warm spice
  • ground spice
  • spice mix
  • spice jar
Synonyms
  • flavouring

    a broader term that includes non-plant substances such as extracts and essences

  • seasoning

    includes salt, pepper, and spice blends; often implies a mix rather than a single ingredient

  • herb

    specifically the leafy green parts of a plant, such as basil or mint, rather than seeds or bark

Grammar Patterns

spice + noun (type/name)

spice + for + noun

Usage Note

Often used in the plural form 'spices' when talking about different types. Common spice names include cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, paprika, and ginger.

Common Mistakes

I added spice to the soup.' (too vague)
I added cumin to the soup.
When referring to a specific type, name the spice rather than using 'spice' alone.

2. An element that makes a situation or activity more interesting, enjoyable, or li

2.nounB2
Definition

An element that makes a situation or activity more interesting, enjoyable, or lively.

Example

A little friendly competition adds spice to any card game.

collocation: add spice to something

Travelling to new places brings spice to an otherwise ordinary life.

Common collocations
  • add spice
  • lack spice
  • the spice of
  • a bit of spice
  • extra spice
Synonyms
  • excitement

    directly names the feeling; less metaphorical than 'spice'

  • zest

    suggests enthusiasm and energy; slightly more literary

  • liveliness

    focuses on active energy rather than general interest

Antonyms
  • dullness

    the absence of any interesting or exciting quality

Grammar Patterns

the spice of + noun

add spice to + noun phrase

Usage Note

Used metaphorically to describe anything that makes life or an activity less dull. The idiom 'variety is the spice of life' follows this sense.

3. A man-made chemical substance that is smoked or swallowed and whose effects rese

3.nounC1
Definition

A man-made chemical substance that is smoked or swallowed and whose effects resemble those of cannabis, an illegal drug.

Example

The teenager was taken to hospital after smoking spice at a house party.

collocation: smoke spice

Police warned the public that spice can cause severe anxiety and hallucinations.

Common collocations
  • smoke spice
  • sell spice
  • banned spice
  • synthetic spice
  • dangerous spice
Synonyms
  • synthetic cannabis

    technical term that clarifies the drug's chemical nature

  • K2

    a common brand name for this type of drug

Grammar Patterns

smoke spice

spice + drug (as modifier)

Usage Note

This sense refers to a class of dangerous synthetic cannabinoids, not to cooking spices. The drug is often sold under brand names or street names. Completely unrelated to the other senses of 'spice'.

Common Mistakes

He was arrested for selling cooking spice illegally.' (confuses the two meanings)
He was arrested for selling spice, a synthetic drug.
The context makes it clear which sense is intended.
Idioms

variety is the spice of life

idiom

An expression meaning that having a range of different experiences, people, and activities makes life interesting and enjoyable.

Eshe tries a new hobby every month — she believes variety is the spice of life.

My grandmother says variety is the spice of life, so she cooks a different dish every night.

spice — verb

Word family

  • spicy
    adjectiveA2
  • spiced
    adjectiveB1
  • spiciness
    nounC1
  • spicer
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Spice, herb, seasoning, and flavouring all relate to adding taste to food, but they differ in scope and origin. Spice refers specifically to dried parts of plants — seeds, bark, roots, or fruits — such as cinnamon, cumin, or black pepper. Herbs are the leafy green parts of plants, like basil, mint, or coriander leaf; they can be fresh or dried and have a milder flavour. Seasoning is a broader category that includes salt, pepper, spice blends, and anything added to enhance flavour. Flavouring is the widest term, covering natural extracts (vanilla), artificial additives, and any substance that alters a food's taste. In everyday use: 'I bought fresh herbs and ground spices at the market' (both are specific), while 'This seasoning mix contains salt, herbs, and spices' (seasoning as a blend).

spice ↗herb ↗seasoningflavouring ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • a pinch of spice
  • a blend of spices
  • spice of life

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'spice' entered English from Old French 'espice', which came from Latin 'species' meaning 'kind, sort, or appearance'. In Latin, 'species' was also used for goods and merchandise — reflecting the value of spices in ancient trade. By the 13th century, 'spice' in English referred specifically to aromatic plant substances used in cooking. The figurative meaning, referring to anything that adds interest or excitement, appeared around the 16th century.