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

New Mexico emerged as the spiciest state, with 31.9 ounces per customer purchased on Instacart. —Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025

From creamy dips to spicy wings to pigs in a blanket, all of these festive recipes are sure to crowdpleasers. —Krissy Tiglias, Southern Living, 28 Jan. 2025

The organic, spicy concoction comes in two flavors, Sweet Jalapeño and a more fiery Hot Habanero. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2025

Past rumbles have seen winners with more customary offerings awarded the coveted Broth Belt, but Red Panda’s body-laden spicy chicken katsu ramen seduced guests with its silkiness, including new fans who had never even heard of them before showing up at the competition. —Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Jan. 2025

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