elixir

American  

[ih-lik-ser] / ɪˈlɪk sər /

noun

1. Pharmacology. a sweetened, aromatic solution of alcohol and water containing, or used as a vehicle for, medicinal substances.

2. Also called elixir of life.  an alchemic preparation formerly believed to be capable of prolonging life.

3. an alchemic preparation formerly believed to be capable of transmuting base metals into gold.

4. the quintessence or absolute embodiment of anything.

5. a panacea; cure-all; sovereign remedy.

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elixir British  

/ ɪˈlɪksə /

noun

1. an alchemical preparation supposed to be capable of prolonging life indefinitely ( elixir of life ) or of transmuting base metals into gold

2. anything that purports to be a sovereign remedy; panacea

3. an underlying principle; quintessence

4. a liquid containing a medicinal drug with syrup, glycerine, or alcohol added to mask its unpleasant taste

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Etymology

Origin of elixir

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin < Arabic al iksīr alchemical preparation < Late Greek xḗrion drying powder (for wounds), equivalent to Greek xēr ( ós ) dry + -ion, neuter of -ios adj. suffix

Explanation

Miraculous, magical, and maybe a little mysterious, an elixir is a sweet substance or solution that cures the problem at hand. Elixir is a word often used with a knowing wink — a sort of overstatement of a product's effectiveness, or a decision maker's policy. With linguistic roots in the long-ago alchemists' search for the philosophers' stone, the word has an element of fantasy to spice up anything, like a remedy for the common cold. The mythic fountain of youth is certainly an elixir, but it can also refer to a real liquid, concept, or plan.

Example Sentences

Served over ice in a short glass and topped with fruit-salad flotsam, the elixir is lightly caffeinated, mildly fruity and as refreshing as stepping out of the Hanoi humidity into full-blast air conditioning.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

If multipolarism seems like a magic elixir to many, today’s vessel of choice for it is the BRICS.

From Salon • Nov. 10, 2025

An "elixir of life" made from a "secret recipe" is given to the groundhog every summer which is what gives Phil his "longevity and youthful good looks", it says on the club's website.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2025

The simplest explanation is that there is just something else going on with people who opt for olive oil, not that olive oil is a health elixir.

From Slate • May 28, 2024

Several nights later, the scene was identical except that the moon had waned to a sliver and the siphon was pouring liquid back into the jugs left half full of Velma T.’s elixir.

From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool

Related Words

• cure-all
• panacea
• potion