licorice

[ lik-er-ish, lik-rish, lik-uh-ris ]

noun

1. a Eurasian plant, Glycyrrhiza glabra, of the legume family.
2. the sweet-tasting, dried root of this plant or an extract made from it, used in medicine, confectionery, etc.
3. a candy flavored with licorice root.
4. any of various related or similar plants.

licorice

/ ˈlɪkərɪs /

noun

1. the usual US and Canadian spelling of liquorice

Word History and Origins

Origin of licorice¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English lycorys, from Anglo-French, from unattested Vulgar Latin liquiritia for Latin glycyrrhiza, from Greek glykýrrhiza “sweetroot (plant),” equivalent to glyký(s) “sweet” + rhíza “root”; root ¹, -ia

Example Sentences

The concoction was flavored with honey, sesame seeds, pine nuts, licorice and grapes, which were commonly used to make the beverage look like blood.

From Science Daily

The company initially began as a small family licorice business and has since branched out into several varieties of confections.

From Salon

Originated and distilled in the city, its strong taste — with notes of rubber bands, licorice and grapefruit — makes it something of a rite passage among local drinkers.

From Salon

Tan: I get a lot of licorice spice, plum and dark fruits on the palate; this is another stellar Washington red, but at a lower price point.

From Seattle Times

This is the sport where Turk Wendell ritualistically chewed four pieces of black licorice while he pitched, spit them out after every inning and brushed his teeth in the dugout.

From Seattle Times