Word
licorice
US/ˈɫɪkɝɪʃ/
UK/lˈɪkɔːɹɪs/
UK spelling · liquorice
Definitions
01the candy
n. a firm, black or red candy with a very strong, sweet, and unique taste.
n. a confectionery product flavoured with the extract of the licorice root, typically characterized by its chewy texture and distinct, pungent sweetness.
“Some people love the strong taste of black licorice, but others hate it.”
“The artisanal shop specialized in traditional salty licorice, a variety that is particularly popular in Nordic countries.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the substance; countable when referring to individual pieces of the candy.
Synonyms
02the plant or flavouring
n. a plant with roots that are used to give a sweet flavour to food, drinks, or medicine.
n. the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra or the extract derived from it, used as a flavouring agent in tobacco, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.
“The herbal tea contains licorice root to help soothe a sore throat.”
“Licorice contains glycyrrhizin, a compound significantly sweeter than sucrose that is often utilized in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties.”
Technical
Teaching tip
In British English, the spelling 'liquorice' is standard, whereas 'licorice' is the preferred American English spelling.
03the colour
n. a very dark, shiny black colour like the candy.
n. a deep, glossy black hue resembling the appearance of processed black confectionery.
“The new sports car was painted a sleek, shiny licorice.”
“The designer chose a licorice palette for the evening wear collection, aiming for a sophisticated, high-gloss aesthetic.”
Literary
Real-World Examples
“She’s used rubber hoses like giant bits of liquorice and coiled, squiggled and squirmed them around metal frames.” Etymology
From Middle English lycorys, from Old French licoresse, from Late Latin liquiritia, alteration of Ancient Greek γλυκύρριζα (glukúrrhiza): γλυκύς (glukús, “sweet”) + ῥίζα (rhíza, “root”) (English glucose, English rhizome). Doublet of glycyrrhiza.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/licorice