# anise

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈæn.ɪs/ · frequency rank #44,060

## Definitions
1. An umbelliferous plant (Pimpinella anisum) growing naturally in Egypt, and cultivated in Spain, Malta, etc., for its carminative and aromatic seeds, which are used as a spice. It has a licorice scent.
2. Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare.

## Etymology
From Middle English anys, borrowed from Old French anis, from Latin anīsum, from Ancient Greek ἄνισον (ánison), from Egyptian jnst.

## Easily confused with
- **ans** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anise-vs-ans)
- **Anne** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anise-vs-anne)
- **axis** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anise-vs-axis)
- **ants** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anise-vs-ants)
- **arse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anise-vs-arse)
- **ante** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anise-vs-ante)
- **anus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anise-vs-anus)
- **avis** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anise-vs-avis)
- **ANSI** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anise-vs-ansi)
- **Arie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anise-vs-arie)
- **aris** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anise-vs-aris)
- **aside** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anise-vs-aside)
- **ankle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anise-vs-ankle)
- **Annie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anise-vs-annie)
- **arise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anise-vs-arise)
- **arose** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anise-vs-arose)
- **Anita** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anise-vs-anita)
- **anode** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anise-vs-anode)
- **Arnie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anise-vs-arnie)
- **arises** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anise-vs-arises)

## Common misspellings (6)
`ainse`, `anies`, `anisse`, `annise`, `ansie`, `naise`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/anise