Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To make something more interesting, exciting, or flavorful: The action of adding zest, variety, or piquancy to an activity, situation, or narrative.
   • To add herbs or spices to food: The culinary action of seasoning a dish to enhance its flavor.

Usage Examples

• Verb (making more interesting):
  • She told a funny story to spice up the meeting.
  • We need to spice up the website design to attract more visitors.
• Verb (adding seasoning):
  • You can spice up the soup with a little cayenne pepper.
  • I like to spice up plain rice with some cumin and turmeric.

Advanced Usage

• "to spice something up": This is the standard phrasal verb structure, where the object (the thing being made more exciting or flavorful) comes between "spice" and "up."
  • He bought some new artwork to spice his apartment up.
• Used figuratively to describe revitalizing a routine or relationship.
  • They went on a weekend trip to spice up their marriage.

Variants and Related Words

• Spicy (adj): Having a strong, pungent flavor from spices; or figuratively, slightly provocative or exciting.
  • The curry was very spicy.
  • The novel contained some spicy details.
• Spice (n): A substance, such as pepper or cinnamon, used to flavor food; or figuratively, something that adds interest or excitement.
  • Variety is the spice of life.

Synonyms

• Enliven: To make more lively or cheerful.
• Liven up: To make more active or exciting.
• Season: To add salt, herbs, or spices to food.
• Zest: To add excitement or interest (often used as "zest up").

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Pep up: To make something more lively or energetic.
  • A good cup of coffee will pep you up in the morning.
• Jazz up: To make something more attractive or exciting (informal).
  • Let's jazz up the report with some charts and graphics.

Related Idioms

• Add a little spice: To introduce something that makes a situation more interesting.
  • His controversial comments always add a little spice to the debate.
• Variety is the spice of life: A proverb meaning that new and different experiences make life more interesting.

Verb

1. make more interesting or flavorful
   • Spice up the evening by inviting a belly dancer
2. add herbs or spices to