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

These wines are big, bold, and spicy, often with rich blackberry and dark chocolate flavors. —Emily Price, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025

Grounded by spicy fennel and velvety musks, this unisex cologne boasts impressively long wear, yet is refreshing and light enough to wear on a super humid day. —Emily Orofino, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2025

Start or end your night with a cocktail at Hansen’s Shoe Repair, a speakeasy with a rooftop patio in a historic building, or Aku-Aku, a small tiki bar with a spicy secret menu. —Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2025

For example, one of the recipes is like an ultimate fish sandwich with a spicy dill. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for spicy

• dicey
• icy
• lycee
• pricey
• theodicy

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