spicy

1 of 2

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

spiciness

2 of 2

noun

spic·​i·​ness -sēnə̇s 

-sin-

plural -es

: the quality of being spicy : pungency

Synonyms of spicy

Adjective

• suggestive
• blue
• salty

Examples of spicy in a Sentence

Adjective

a spicy suggestion that earned him a slap in the face

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In it, two friends with nothing to lose become hooked on power after hitting on a winning spicy beef jerky recipe made with human flesh. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026

Dishes such as beef mantou, its interpretation of the Chinese hamburger, thousand-year-old egg and ricotta, passion fruit fish maw noodles, and a generous offering of spicy Yakitori skewers, sums up its imaginative and bold offerings. — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026

How to Cut Down on Body Odor Palinski-Wade suggested cutting sulfur-rich foods, trimming red meat and very spicy meals while drinking more water and eating more fruits and vegetables, a shift that lines up with everyday healthy eating goals. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2026

Take oyakodon, a saucy chicken and egg rice bowl, or mapo tofu, where spicy tofu sings with ground meat. — Emily Laurence Sardinha, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for spicy

• dicey
• icy
• pricey
• devisee
• 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