Ginger has 14 different meanings across 4 categories:
Noun · Verb · Adjective · Proper Noun
perennial plants having thick branching aromatic rhizomes and leafy reedlike stems
"The gardener carefully harvested the fresh ginger, noting its characteristic thick branching aromatic rhizomes and leafy reedlike stems."
dried ground gingerroot
"She sprinkled some dried ground gingerroot over the roasted chicken to add a warm, spicy flavor."
pungent rhizome of the common ginger plant; used fresh as a seasoning especially in Asian cookery
"The chef sliced the fresh ginger to add its sharp, earthy flavor to the spicy curry."
The pungent aromatic rhizome of a tropical Asian herb, Zingiber officinale, used as a spice and as a stimulant and acarminative.
"After years in the closet, he finally came out as a ginger to his supportive friends."
A homosexual.
In plain English: Ginger is someone with red hair and often fair skin.
"I didn't realize he was a ginger until he mentioned his partner."
Usage: As a noun, "ginger" refers specifically to the fresh root of an Asian plant used widely in cooking rather than dried powder or other spices. When describing hair color, it denotes a light red shade that is distinct from both bright orange and deep brown tones.
To add ginger to.
"She stepped gingerly across the icy patch to avoid slipping."
To move gingerly, very careful and cautious.
In plain English: To ginger is to move slowly and carefully to avoid mistakes or injury.
"She gingered down the stairs after twisting her ankle."
Of a reddish-brown colour.
"He used the slang term ginger to describe his friend, but it is important to note that this usage is outdated and potentially offensive."
Sensitive, delicate.
Homosexual.
In plain English: Ginger describes something that is reddish-orange, like hair color.
"Some people use the term ginger as a playful way to refer to their gay friends."
A female given name from English and nickname.
"My neighbor, Ginger, always greets everyone with a bright smile before her morning coffee."
The word ginger traveled into English via Middle and Old French forms derived from Latin. It ultimately traces back to an ancient Tamil compound meaning "ginger root."