# ginger

/ˈdʒɪndʒɝ/ (US) · /dʒˈɪndʒɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ginger
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the spice

noun · CEFR A2

a spicy, strong-tasting root used in cooking and drinks.

For teachers: the pungent, aromatic rhizome of the tropical plant Zingiber officinale, used as a culinary spice or medicinal stimulant.

- She added some fresh ginger to the stir-fry to give it a spicy kick.
- The recipe calls for finely grated ginger, which provides a sharp contrast to the sweetness of the honey glaze.

### 3. fizzy drink

noun · CEFR B2 · Dialect · British English

a sweet, bubbly drink like soda or pop.

For teachers: any carbonated soft drink; a generic term for soda.

- Do you want a bottle of ginger with your lunch?
- In parts of western Scotland, 'ginger' remains the standard dialectal term for any variety of carbonated beverage.

Teaching tip: This usage is specific to Scotland. In most other places, 'ginger' only refers to ginger-flavoured drinks.

### 4. colour

adjective · CEFR B1

having a reddish-brown or orange-brown colour.

For teachers: denoting a specific range of reddish-brown or orange-brown hues, typically used for hair, fur, or wood.

- The ginger cat sat on the wall watching the birds in the garden.
- The fox's thick ginger coat made it easy to spot against the fresh white snow.

### 5. to make more exciting

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · British English

to make something more lively or interesting.

For teachers: to enliven or stimulate a situation or person; usually appears in the phrasal verb 'ginger up'.

- We need to ginger up the office party with some better music.
- The marketing team attempted to ginger up the brand's image by launching a series of provocative social media campaigns.

Usage: Usually used with the particle 'up'.

## Examples

- I always add fresh ginger to my tea when I have a cold.
- The chef grated fresh ginger into the stir-fry to give the dish a spicy, warm kick.
- While dried ginger provides a concentrated heat suitable for baking, the fresh root offers a bright, citrusy profile that is essential for authentic Southeast Asian cuisine.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.