spicing up
Making more interesting
Spicing up means adding interest, excitement, or variety to something that has become dull or routine.
The metaphor comes from cooking—spices transform bland food.
You might spice up a presentation with humor, spice up your wardrobe with bold colors, or spice up a relationship with spontaneous gestures.
The phrase often carries mild sexual connotations when applied to relationships.
Substance improving food taste
- herbsPlants for seasoning
- aromaticsScent-giving substances
- marinadeSeasoned steeping liquid
- flavorfulHaving strong taste
cumin · turmeric · paprika · coriander · saffron · ginger · garlic · nutmeg
Playfully showing romantic interest
- seducingAttracting through charm
- teasingPlayful, mild ridicule
- tantalizingTeasingly attractive, frustratingly desirable
- kindlingMaterial for starting fires
rekindling · passion · intimacy · sensuality · allure · temptation · excitement · adventure
Making more spirited
- pepping upAdding energy or enthusiasm
- energizingImparting renewed vitality
- invigoratingImparting fresh energy
- revitalizingRestoring strength or energy
jazzing up · refreshing · animating · brightening · vivifying · reviving · awakening · stimulating
Mistaking one for another
- diversifyingIncreasing variety within
- varyingChanging in degree
- switching upChanging course mid-stream
- fresheningMaking more lively
remixing · reworking · reimagining · reinventing · experimenting · innovating · improvising · embellishing
Increasing strength or intensity
- heighteningIncreasing in degree
- boostingIncreasing force or level
- enhancingIncreasing quality or value
- escalatingIncreasing by degrees
ramping up · turning up · kicking up · cranking up · stepping up · upping · sharpening · punching up
seasoning
Substance improving food taste
flavorful · cumin · turmeric · paprika · coriander · saffron · ginger · garlic · nutmeg · cinnamon
flirting
Playfully showing romantic interest
- seducingAttracting through charm
- teasingPlayful, mild ridicule
- tantalizingTeasingly attractive, frustratingly desirable
kindling · rekindling · passion · intimacy · sensuality · allure · temptation · excitement · adventure · spontaneity
livening
Making more spirited
- pepping upAdding energy or enthusiasm
- energizingImparting renewed vitality
- invigoratingImparting fresh energy
jazzing up · revitalizing · refreshing · animating · brightening · vivifying · reviving · awakening · stimulating · electrifying
mixing up
Mistaking one for another
- diversifyingIncreasing variety within
- varyingChanging in degree
- switching upChanging course mid-stream
freshening · remixing · reworking · reimagining · reinventing · experimenting · innovating · improvising · embellishing · elaborating
amplifying
Increasing strength or intensity
- heighteningIncreasing in degree
- boostingIncreasing force or level
- enhancingIncreasing quality or value
escalating · ramping up · turning up · kicking up · cranking up · stepping up · upping · sharpening · punching up · supercharging
spicing uptoning down
Lessening force or impact
dulling · dampening · subduing · muting · calming down
spicing upstripping down
Removing clothing or components
simplifying · paring down · toning down · decluttering · minimizing