Word
elixir
US/ɪˈɫɪksɝ/
UK/ɪlˈɪksɐ/
Definitions
01magical medicine
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Literary
n. a magical liquid that people once believed could cure any disease or make someone live forever.
n. a substance or liquid believed to cure all ills and grant eternal life, often associated with alchemy or mythology.
“In the story, the hero travels across the world to find a secret elixir.”
“Ancient alchemists spent their lives searching for a mythical elixir that would grant them immortality and perfect health.”
Usage
Often used with 'of' to describe its purpose, such as 'elixir of life'.
Synonyms
02a perfect solution
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Literary · Academic
n. something that seems to solve a difficult problem perfectly.
n. a figurative use referring to a sovereign remedy or a perfect solution for a complex set of problems.
“The new manager hoped his strategy would be the elixir for the company's problems.”
“Economists warned that there is no single policy elixir that can instantly fix the nation's financial crisis.”
Teaching tip
This sense is highly metaphorical; learners should use it sparingly in formal writing to avoid sounding overly dramatic.
03medical liquid
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Medicine Technical
n. a sweet liquid used in medicine to hide a bad taste.
n. a clear, sweetened, hydroalcoholic liquid intended for oral use, typically containing flavouring agents to mask the taste of active medicinal ingredients.
“The doctor prescribed a cough elixir that tasted like cherries.”
“The pharmacist prepared a pediatric elixir, carefully balancing the alcohol content to ensure the stability of the medication while remaining safe for the child.”
Usage
Usually refers to a specific type of liquid preparation containing alcohol, unlike a simple syrup.
Real-World Examples
“His manuscript outlined a 130-ingredient “elixir of long life”, which contained plants, barks, spices and roots and took the monks over a century to decipher.” “By 1700 other pharmacists competed with Sydenham by creating their own opium elixirs.” “You merely need to visit a western supermarket today to see that many people regard protein as some kind of universal elixir – one food companies are profitably adding to anything they can.” Etymology
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.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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