seasoning
B1Neutral to Formal
Definition
Meaning
A substance, such as salt, herbs, or spices, added to food to enhance its flavour.
The process of adding flavour to food; also, figuratively, the experience or exposure that tempers or prepares someone for something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a mass noun referring to the collective set of flavourings. Can be used countably ('seasonings') to refer to different individual types. The figurative sense ('seasoning of experience') is literary.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The verb 'to season' is slightly more common in US cooking shows/recipes emphasising the addition of salt and pepper as a fundamental step.
Connotations
In both varieties, implies skill and knowledge in cooking. In UK contexts, might be more associated with dried herbs/spices; in US, strongly associated with pre-mixed blends (e.g., 'Cajun seasoning').
Frequency
Equally common in culinary contexts in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N of N (a pinch of seasoning)ADJ + seasoning (appropriate seasoning)V + seasoning + PREP (seasoning for the soup)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Figurative] The seasoning of experience”
- “[Proverbial] Seasoning is the soul of cooking.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in food manufacturing or retail (e.g., 'Our new line of organic seasonings').
Academic
Rare, except in historical/ anthropological contexts (e.g., 'The trade in exotic seasonings').
Everyday
Common in cooking, recipes, and restaurant reviews.
Technical
Common in food science, culinary arts, and nutrition.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Season the potatoes well before roasting.
- The chef seasoned the dish to perfection.
American English
- Don't forget to season the chicken with salt and pepper.
- The steak was perfectly seasoned.
adverb
British English
- This is a seasonally adjusted figure. (Not directly from 'seasoning', but related root.)
American English
- The menu changes seasonally. (Not directly from 'seasoning', but related root.)
adjective
British English
- A well-seasoned wok is essential.
- He is a seasoned traveller. (figurative)
American English
- Use a seasoned cast-iron skillet.
- She's a seasoned professional. (figurative)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I add seasoning to my soup.
- Salt is a common seasoning.
- The recipe says to adjust the seasoning at the end.
- This sauce needs a bit more seasoning.
- A judicious use of seasoning can elevate a simple dish.
- The chef's secret blend of seasonings was famous.
- The dish was criticised for its underseasoning, leaving the natural flavours flat.
- His years abroad provided him with the necessary seasoning for diplomatic work.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the SEASONS: just as seasons change the year, SEASONING changes the taste of your food.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD IS A CANVAS (seasoning is the paint); EXPERIENCE IS SEASONING (it adds flavour/maturity to life).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'season' (время года).
- Not synonymous with 'sauce' (соус) or 'spice' (пряность) alone; it's a broader category.
- The Russian 'приправа' is a close equivalent.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'spice' as a direct synonym (spice is a type of seasoning).
- Misspelling as 'seasonning' or 'sesoning'.
- Using as a verb (the verb is 'to season').
Practice
Quiz
In a figurative sense, what does 'seasoning' imply?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A spice is one type of seasoning (e.g., pepper, cumin). Seasoning is the broader category that includes spices, herbs, salt, and other flavourings.
The related word 'season' is the verb. 'Seasoning' is primarily a noun (e.g., 'Add some seasoning'). You 'season' food with 'seasoning'.
Confusing it with 'season' meaning a time of year (e.g., winter, summer), or using it as a countable noun when it should be uncountable (e.g., 'too much seasoning', not 'too many seasonings' – though 'seasonings' for types is correct).
No significant difference. Both pronounce it /ˈsiːzənɪŋ/. The main potential difference is in the vowel of the second syllable in some regional US accents, but the standard is the same.
Collections
Part of a collection
Food and Cooking
A2 · 50 words · Cooking methods, kitchen tools and recipes.