ginger

Everyday

1. A plant root with a hot, spicy taste, used in cooking and drinks: ginger biscuits. tree →
2. (adjective) Orange-brown in colour, especially hair or a cat's fur: a ginger cat. tree →
3. (informal, UK, sometimes unkind) A person with red or orange hair. tree →
4. «ginger beer», «ginger ale» = fizzy drinks made with ginger. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life ginger is in biscuits, gingerbread and stir-fries; a «ginger tom» is an orange male cat; in stories red-haired characters are called «ginger». Phrases: «ginger biscuit», «gingerbread man», «ginger cat», «ginger beer».

Examples

• We made a gingerbread man with raisin eyes. tree →
• Ginger tea helps when you feel sick. tree →
• Our ginger cat sleeps on the windowsill. tree →
• Ginger biscuits are good for dunking in tea. tree →
• Grate a little fresh ginger into the soup. tree →
• He has ginger hair and freckles. tree →
• Costly spices grew on the shores: the pepper plant, the cinnamon tree, ginger, saffron; the coffee plant and the tea plant. tree →

Note

Uncountable for the spice: «some ginger». Calling a person «Ginger» can be friendly or unkind teasing — be careful. In the US people say «red hair» more than «ginger hair».