licorice
B1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A black, chewy, sweet confectionery flavoured with the extract of the root of the liquorice plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra).
The plant Glycyrrhiza glabra itself, or its dried root, used in medicine and confectionery. Can also refer to the characteristic sweet, slightly anise-like flavour.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a concrete noun referring to a food item or plant. The spelling 'liquorice' is standard in British English, while 'licorice' is standard in American English. The word is rarely used metaphorically.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: UK 'liquorice', US 'licorice'. Pronunciation differs (see IPA). The product is common in both cultures but specific types (e.g., salty liquorice) are more associated with Nordic countries.
Connotations
Generally neutral, associated with childhood sweets or traditional remedies. In the US, it is sometimes specifically associated with red licorice (which is often strawberry or cherry flavoured and contains no actual licorice), whereas black licorice is the traditional form.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties, though the spelling difference is absolute.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[to eat/have/chew] + licorice[a piece/stick/twist] + of + licoricelicorice + [flavour/root/candy]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not applicable for this concrete noun.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in contexts of food manufacturing, import/export, and confectionery retail.
Academic
Used in botany, pharmacology, and culinary studies regarding the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant and its properties.
Everyday
Common when discussing sweets, flavours, or childhood memories.
Technical
Used in herbal medicine, phytochemistry, and food science for the plant and its active compound, glycyrrhizin.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The liquorice allsorts were a colourful mix.
- It had a distinct liquorice aftertaste.
American English
- The licorice whip was her favourite.
- He disliked the licorice flavor in the tea.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I like licorice.
- This candy is black licorice.
- Do you prefer red or black licorice?
- She bought a bag of licorice at the shop.
- Traditional licorice is flavoured with extract from the root of the Glycyrrhiza plant.
- Many people find the taste of salty licorice quite challenging.
- The pharmacological properties of licorice root, particularly glycyrrhizin, have been studied for their anti-inflammatory effects.
- The confectioner expertly blended anise and molasses to replicate the authentic flavour of licorice.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'LICK-or-ice' – you lick a sweet, icy-tasting black candy.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not commonly metaphoric. Potentially 'bitter-sweet experience' due to its strong, divisive flavour.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'лакрица' (lakritsa) – which is correct. Avoid translating as 'солодка' (solodka) in a candy context, as this refers specifically to the plant/root.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling: 'liquorish', 'lickorice'. Confusing 'licorice' (US) with 'liquorice' (UK). Using 'licorice' to describe all stringy red candies (many are fruit flavoured).
Practice
Quiz
What is a common misconception about red licorice in the United States?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is usually uncountable when referring to the substance or flavour (e.g., 'I love licorice'). It can be countable when referring to individual pieces or types (e.g., 'two licorices', 'different licorices').
Black licorice is traditionally flavoured with extract from the licorice root. Most red licorice, popular in North America, is fruit-flavoured (e.g., strawberry, cherry) and often contains no licorice root extract at all.
The word entered English from Anglo-Norman 'lycorys', later influenced by Old French 'licoresse'. The 'licorice' spelling reflects a closer phonetic spelling in American English, while 'liquorice' is the traditional UK spelling, possibly influenced by the unrelated word 'liquor'.
Yes, excessive consumption of real black licorice (containing glycyrrhizin) can lead to high blood pressure, low potassium levels, and other issues, especially for people with heart or kidney conditions. It is generally safe in typical candy amounts.