aniseed: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Culinary, Technical
Quick answer
What does “aniseed” mean?
The dried seed of the anise plant (Pimpinella anisum), used as a flavouring agent due to its strong, sweet, liquorice-like taste and aroma.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The dried seed of the anise plant (Pimpinella anisum), used as a flavouring agent due to its strong, sweet, liquorice-like taste and aroma.
The dried seeds used whole, ground, or as an oil (aniseed oil) to flavour foods, drinks (like ouzo, pastis, sambuca), confectionery, and medicines; also refers to the characteristic flavour itself.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and usage are identical. The word is used with equal frequency in culinary contexts. No major dialectal variation.
Connotations
Neutral in both. Often evokes traditional baking (e.g., aniseed balls) and certain liquors.
Frequency
Low-to-medium frequency in both, appearing mainly in specific culinary or botanical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “aniseed” in a Sentence
[Verb] + aniseed: add/crush/grind/use aniseed[Adjective] + aniseed: ground/crushed/whole/star aniseed[Noun] + of + aniseed: flavour/scent/taste/seeds of aniseedVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “aniseed” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No common verb use]
American English
- [No common verb use]
adverb
British English
- [No common adverb use]
American English
- [No common adverb use]
adjective
British English
- The cake had a distinct aniseed flavour.
- She bought some aniseed balls from the sweet shop.
American English
- The cocktail had a strong aniseed note.
- He detected an aniseed aroma in the sauce.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Used in contexts of spice trade, food manufacturing, or product ingredient listings.
Academic
Used in botany, food science, pharmacology, and historical studies of spice trade.
Everyday
Used in cooking, baking, and discussing food/drink flavours (e.g., 'I don't like drinks that taste of aniseed').
Technical
Used in herbal medicine, phytochemistry, and flavour/aroma industry specifications.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “aniseed”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “aniseed”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “aniseed”
- Misspelling as 'anniseed' or 'aniceed'.
- Confusing with 'licorice root' (a different plant with a similar flavour).
- Using as a countable noun (e.g., 'three aniseeds' is unusual; prefer 'three aniseed seeds' or 'some aniseed').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Aniseed comes from the Pimpinella anisum plant (herb). Star anise comes from the Illicium verum tree (a different species). They share a similar flavour compound (anethole) but are botanically distinct.
Probably not. Aniseed contains anethole, which gives a flavour very similar to liquorice (glycyrrhizin). If you dislike liquorice, you will likely dislike aniseed flavour.
It is used in both. In sweet dishes (cakes, cookies, candies) and in savoury dishes (stews, sausages, breads) across various cuisines, particularly in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and South Asian cooking.
Store whole aniseed seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place. Ground aniseed loses its potency quickly, so it's best ground just before use.
The dried seed of the anise plant (Pimpinella anisum), used as a flavouring agent due to its strong, sweet, liquorice-like taste and aroma.
Aniseed is usually culinary, technical in register.
Aniseed: in British English it is pronounced /ˈænɪsiːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈænɪsiːd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specifically for 'aniseed']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ANISEED = A NICE SEED for flavouring. It has a nice, sweet, distinctive taste.
Conceptual Metaphor
FLAVOUR IS A SUBSTANCE (e.g., 'The cake was full of aniseed flavour').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary chemical compound responsible for the characteristic flavour of aniseed?