# ingredient

/ˌɪnˈɡɹidiənt/ (US) · /ɪnɡɹˈiːdiənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ingredient
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. food component

noun · CEFR B1

one of the foods you use to make a particular dish.

For teachers: any of the substances that are combined to make a particular dish.

- The secret ingredient in her famous chocolate cake is a pinch of sea salt.
- The chef insisted on sourcing every ingredient locally to ensure the seasonal menu reflected the authentic flavours of the region.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'for' or 'in'.

### 2. necessary element

noun · CEFR B2

a quality or part of something that is needed to make it successful.

For teachers: a necessary part or characteristic of a complex situation or abstract concept. Figurative use.

- Trust is the most important ingredient in a long-lasting friendship.
- Economists argue that a stable regulatory environment is a vital ingredient for sustained national growth and foreign investment.

## Examples

- Flour is the main ingredient in this bread recipe.
- She went to the market to buy fresh ingredients for the vegetable soup.
- Trust is a vital ingredient in any long-term partnership, providing the foundation upon which all other shared values are built.

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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.