spice
spice — noun
1. Parts of plants such as seeds, bark, or dried roots that cooks add to food to gi
Parts of plants such as seeds, bark, or dried roots that cooks add to food to give it a stronger taste or aroma.
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.
A blend of spices gives this curry its deep golden colour and rich taste.
Yuki keeps her spices in small glass jars on the kitchen shelf.
Many traditional dishes use cumin as the main spice.
- 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
文法句型
spice + noun (type/name)
spice + for + noun
用法筆記
Often used in the plural form 'spices' when talking about different types. Common spice names include cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, paprika, and ginger.
常見錯誤
2. An element that makes a situation or activity more interesting, enjoyable, or li
An element that makes a situation or activity more interesting, enjoyable, or lively.
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.
The surprise performance gave the evening an extra bit of spice.
Piotr said that risk is the spice that makes mountain climbing thrilling.
Without humour, their conversations lacked any real spice.
- 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
- dullness
the absence of any interesting or exciting quality
文法句型
the spice of + noun
add spice to + noun phrase
用法筆記
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
A man-made chemical substance that is smoked or swallowed and whose effects resemble those of cannabis, an illegal drug.
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.
Several countries have made it illegal to sell or possess spice.
Doctors say that the ingredients in spice change often, making it very dangerous.
- synthetic cannabis
technical term that clarifies the drug's chemical nature
- K2
a common brand name for this type of drug
文法句型
smoke spice
spice + drug (as modifier)
用法筆記
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'.
常見錯誤
spice — verb
1. To add spice to food or a drink so that it has a stronger or more interesting ta
To add spice to food or a drink so that it has a stronger or more interesting taste.
Tomás spiced the lamb with cumin, coriander, and a little chilli before roasting it.
pattern: spice [food] with [spice]
The chef spiced the soup carefully so that it was hot but not burning.
This dish is lightly spiced and goes well with plain rice.
Eleni likes to spice her hot chocolate with a pinch of cinnamon powder.
Niran spiced the fish with ginger and garlic before frying it in oil.
文法句型
spice + noun (food/drink) + with + noun (spice name)
用法筆記
Typically used with 'with' to name the spice. The past participle 'spiced' is common as an adjective (e.g., 'spiced tea', 'spiced nuts').
常見錯誤
2. To add interest or liveliness to something, typically by bringing in variety or
To add interest or liveliness to something, typically by bringing in variety or a fresh element.
The teacher spiced her maths lessons with puzzles and group games.
pattern: spice [something] with [something]
The neighbours spiced up the garden party with live music and a barbecue.
phrasal verb: spice up
Ingrid spiced her speech with a few jokes to keep the audience awake.
Adding a few new exercises can spice your weekly workout routine.
Christopher decided to spice up his bedroom by painting one wall bright yellow.
- dull
to make something less interesting or exciting
文法句型
spice up + noun phrase
spice + noun + with + noun
用法筆記
The phrasal form 'spice up' is very common in informal speech and writing. It can be separated: 'spice things up'.