What does ginger mean?
Ginger most often refers to the fragrant, slightly sweet and pungent rhizome of a tropical plant, which is used fresh or dried in cooking, baking, drinks, and traditional remedies. The word can also mean the plant itself, and it serves as a color term for reddish-brown hair or fur. In British informal English, a 'ginger' is a lively, energetic, or enterprising person. As a verb, ginger can mean to enliven or stir something up, usually in the expression 'ginger up.' Ginger is especially versatile in the kitchen: fresh ginger tends to have a bright, peppery, citrus-like flavor, while ground ginger is warmer and more intensely aromatic. The word also refers to the plant's underground stem, known botanically as a rhizome, rather than a true root. Its long history in Asian, Middle Eastern, and European cuisines has made it both a familiar flavoring and a familiar metaphor for vitality and spiritedness.
The pungent, aromatic rhizome of a tropical plant, used fresh or dried as a spice, flavoring, and herbal remedy; also the plant itself.
"The soup was seasoned with ginger, garlic, and black pepper."
Reddish-brown in color; lively, bold, or enterprising, especially in British informal use.
"The photo showed a ginger-haired child in a red coat."
The color sense is common in British and US English, while the lively-person sense is chiefly British and informal.
To make lively or animated, or to stir up enthusiasm, especially in British informal use.
"The comedian tried to ginger up the late-night audience."
Ginger is normally used as an uncountable mass noun, so the plural is uncommon. 'Gingers' is used mainly when referring to individual rhizomes or, in some contexts, people with ginger hair.
"The grocer displayed fresh ginger and several pale young gingers."
Ginger is a rhizome, not a root: the underground stem that gives the familiar spice its distinctive warmth and aroma.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ginger
The English word entered Middle English in the medieval period through forms such as 'gyngre', from Old French 'gingembre' and Latin 'gingiber'. Latin had borrowed the term from Greek 'zingiberis', which reflects an earlier Asian word. The ultimate source is generally traced to South Asia, although the precise source language and transmission history are not certain.
Related word forms
How ginger is actually used
In culinary contexts, ginger is usually an uncountable mass noun, as in 'a piece of ginger.' The adjective meaning lively is informal and especially common in British English, where it may be affectionate or mildly dismissive depending on context. The verb is also chiefly British informal and is often used in the phrase 'ginger up.'
Easily confused with ginger
Ginseng is a different plant and herbal root, usually associated with a more earthy or mildly bitter flavor, whereas ginger is a pungent aromatic rhizome.