elixir
- 01 C2 Proficiency
a magical liquid that people once believed could cure any disease or make someone live forever.
a substance or liquid believed to cure all ills and grant eternal life, often associated with alchemy or mythology.
Simple“In the story, the hero travels across the world to find a secret elixir.”
In context“Ancient alchemists spent their lives searching for a mythical elixir that would grant them immortality and perfect health.”
UsageOften used with 'of' to describe its purpose, such as 'elixir of life'.
Synonyms - 02 C2 Proficiency
something that seems to solve a difficult problem perfectly.
a figurative use referring to a sovereign remedy or a perfect solution for a complex set of problems.
Simple“The new manager hoped his strategy would be the elixir for the company's problems.”
In context“Economists warned that there is no single policy elixir that can instantly fix the nation's financial crisis.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is highly metaphorical; learners should use it sparingly in formal writing to avoid sounding overly dramatic.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
a sweet liquid used in medicine to hide a bad taste.
a clear, sweetened, hydroalcoholic liquid intended for oral use, typically containing flavouring agents to mask the taste of active medicinal ingredients.
Simple“The doctor prescribed a cough elixir that tasted like cherries.”
In context“The pharmacist prepared a pediatric elixir, carefully balancing the alcohol content to ensure the stability of the medication while remaining safe for the child.”
UsageUsually refers to a specific type of liquid preparation containing alcohol, unlike a simple syrup.
Synonymssyruptincture
From Medieval Latin elixir (“philosopher's stone”), from Arabic اَلْإِكْسِير (al-ʔiksīr, “philosopher's stone”), from Ancient Greek ξηρίον (xēríon, “powder for drying wounds”), from ξηρός (xērós, “dry”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.