cayenne pepper

noun

1

: a pungent condiment consisting of the ground dried fruits or seeds of hot peppers

2

: hot pepper

especially : any of several cultivated peppers of a variety (Capsicum annuum var. longum) with very long twisted pungent red fruits

3

: the fruit of a cayenne pepper

Examples of cayenne pepper in a Sentence

a dash of cayenne pepper

Recent Examples on the Web

A touch of vinegar and cayenne pepper and a thinner consistency gave this dip a restaurant salsa-like quality. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2026

Candied Bacon Morgans's Brooklyn Barbecue At Morgans's Brooklyn Barbecue in Brooklyn, New York, slices of Hatfield bacon seasoned with cayenne pepper, brown sugar and paprika. — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Our wings recipe includes blue cheese, garlic powder, vinegar, and spicy cayenne pepper sauce for kick. — Jasmine Thompson, Midwest Living, 20 Aug. 2026

Labneh with lemon and garlic is a tangy counterbalance, and a final sprinkling of mint and cayenne pepper adds just a little kick. — Warren Rojas, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

by folk etymology from earlier cayan, ultimately modification of Tupi kɨʔɨ̃já, kɨʔɨ̃nʸá

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cayenne pepper

• leper
• lepper
• stepper