spiced

spiced — verb

1. to put spices such as cinnamon, cumin, or chili into food or drink so that it ha

1.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to put spices such as cinnamon, cumin, or chili into food or drink so that it has a stronger, more interesting taste.

Example

Asher spiced the chicken with cumin and coriander before roasting it.

spice + [food] + with + [ingredient]

The stew is spiced with ginger, turmeric, and a touch of cinnamon.

passive: be spiced with + [ingredient]

Common collocations
  • spiced with [cinnamon/ginger/cumin/chili]
  • lightly spiced
  • heavily spiced
  • spice up [food/drink]
Synonyms
  • season

    broader term — includes salt, pepper, herbs, and spices

  • flavor

    gentler; adding any taste, not necessarily strong spices

  • dress

    usually refers to adding sauce or oil-based flavor, as with salad

Antonyms
  • blanch

    to cook briefly in boiling water without seasoning

Grammar Patterns

spice + [food/drink]

be spiced with + [ingredient]

spice up + [food/drink]

Usage Note

Use 'season' (not 'spice') when referring to salt and pepper. 'Spice' specifically means adding dry plant-based seasonings like cinnamon, cumin, or paprika. The phrasal verb 'spice up' is common in both literal and figurative senses.

Common Mistakes

I spiced the soup with salt.
I seasoned the soup with salt.
'spice' refers to plant-based seasonings like cinnamon or cumin, not salt or pepper.

2. to make an event, story, conversation, or other activity more exciting, lively,

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to make an event, story, conversation, or other activity more exciting, lively, or enjoyable by adding interesting or surprising elements.

Example

Kenji spiced up his speech with funny stories from his trip to Japan.

spice up + [speech/story] + with + [humorous element]

The novel is spiced with dark humour and unexpected plot twists.

passive: be spiced with + [element]

Common collocations
  • spice up [conversation/story/evening/event]
  • spiced with [humour/irony/surprises/details]
Synonyms
  • enliven

    more formal; to make something more lively or animated

  • liven up

    informal; very close in meaning, often interchangeable with 'spice up'

  • enrich

    adds value or depth, not necessarily excitement

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

spice up + [event/story/conversation]

be spiced with + [humour/surprises/details]

Usage Note

In the figurative sense, 'spice up' is much more common than plain 'spice'. The plain form ('spiced with') often appears in formal or written contexts. The object is usually an experience, piece of content, or social situation — not a person.

Common Mistakes

The teacher spiced the lesson with punishment.
The teacher spiced up the lesson with games.
Figurative 'spice' always adds something positive and enjoyable, not unpleasant.
Phrasal verbs

spice up

phrasal verb

to add excitement, interest, or flavour to something, making it more enjoyable or lively.

Joaquín spiced up the party by inviting a local jazz band.

Selim likes to spice up his omelette with cheese and fresh herbs.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/2

All four words describe making something more engaging, but they differ in register and scope. 'Spice up' is informal and suggests adding a dash of excitement — like a funny story in a speech — and works for both food (literal) and activities (figurative). 'Enliven' is more formal; you enliven a discussion with a thoughtful question. 'Liven up' is the informal near-synonym of 'spice up', often used for atmospheres ('music livened up the room'). 'Enrich' focuses on depth and value rather than excitement — you enrich a course with field trips, not with jokes. Example: 'The host spiced up the interview with personal anecdotes, while the expert enriched the conversation with data.'

spice up ↗enlivenliven upenrich ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

'Spiced' comes from the noun 'spice', which entered English from Old French 'espice' (modern French 'épice'), itself from Latin 'species' meaning 'kind, sort, or goods'. In medieval trade, spices were valuable goods. The figurative meaning — adding excitement or interest — appeared in English by the 1500s, comparing pleasant stimulation to the way spices enhance food.