spicy

adjective

ˈspī-sē 

spicier; spiciest

1

: having the flavor, fragrance, or quality of spice

a spicy perfume

especially : containing strong spices : piquant, zesty

spicy foods

2

: producing or abounding in spices

… the spicy isles of the Indies …

—Thomas G. Gentry born 1843

A tale of heroic misadventure followed, spiriting me from 16th-century Cornwall to the spicy shores of North Africa.

—Sophie Gee

3

: lively, spirited

a spicy temper

4

: engagingly provocative : racy

spicy language

especially : somewhat scandalous or salacious

spicy gossip

spicily

ˈspī-sə-lē 

adverb

spicily fragrant

spiciness

ˈspī-sē-nəs 

noun

the spiciness of black pepper

Synonyms

• bawdy
• blue
• gamy
• gamey
• lewd
• off
• off-color
• off-colored
• racy
• ribald
• risqué
• salty
• suggestive

Examples of spicy in a Sentence

a spicy suggestion that earned him a slap in the face

Recent Examples on the Web

The new arrivals on the box office marquee this weekend make for an unusual recipe, if not a spicy one. —Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Sep. 2024

The sandwich takes original or spicy chicken and tops it with honey, pimento cheese and pickled jalapeños. —Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 24 Sep. 2024

Rye Whiskey, a bolder, spicier, and drier option. Scotch Whiskey, the complex and smoky cousin. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2024

This doesn’t make for a bad chip — salty and spicy are a fine combo. —Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 24 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

spicy

adjective

ˈspī-sē 

spicier; spiciest

1

: flavored with or containing spice

2

: somewhat shocking or indecent

a spicy story

spicily

-sə-lē 

adverb

spiciness

-sē-nəs 

noun