soupcon

Friendly

Word: Soupçon

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: A soupçon is a very small amount of something, often used to refer to flavor or a hint of an ingredient in cooking. It can also mean a slight or slight suggestion of something.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "soupçon" when you want to indicate that there is a small, noticeable amount of something.
• It is often used in cooking or describing flavors but can also apply to feelings or ideas.

Example:

• "Add a soupçon of salt to enhance the flavor of the soup."
• "There was a soupçon of doubt in her voice when she spoke about the plan."

Advanced Usage:

• In a more advanced context, "soupçon" can be used to convey subtlety or nuance in art, literature, or emotions. For example:
  • "The painting carries a soupçon of sadness, which makes it deeply moving."

Word Variants:

• "Soupçon" is a French word, and it is often used in English without any variations. It can be pluralized as "soupçons" if referring to multiple small amounts.

Different Meanings:

• While "soupçon" primarily refers to a small amount, it can also imply a hint of suspicion or a trace of something negative in a non-literal sense. For example:
  • "She felt a soupçon of jealousy when she saw her friend's success."

Synonyms:

• Hint
• Touch
• Dash
• Bit
• Smidgen
• Trace

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs that use "soupçon," but you might hear phrases like "a soupçon of truth" to suggest a small amount of truth in a statement.

Academic

Noun

1. a slight but appreciable amount
   • this dish could use a touch of garlic

Synonyms

• touch
• hint
• tinge
• mite
• pinch
• jot
• speck