ingredient
- 01 B1 Intermediate
one of the foods you use to make a particular dish.
any of the substances that are combined to make a particular dish.
Simple“The secret ingredient in her famous chocolate cake is a pinch of sea salt.”
In context“The chef insisted on sourcing every ingredient locally to ensure the seasonal menu reflected the authentic flavours of the region.”
UsageOften used with the preposition 'for' or 'in'.
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a quality or part of something that is needed to make it successful.
a necessary part or characteristic of a complex situation or abstract concept. Figurative use.
Simple“Trust is the most important ingredient in a long-lasting friendship.”
In context“Economists argue that a stable regulatory environment is a vital ingredient for sustained national growth and foreign investment.”
Usage active ingredient
From Middle French ingredient, from Latin ingrediens, present participle of ingredior (“to go or enter into or onto”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.