spicy
SPEYE-see
Spicy (adjective) means containing spices, or producing a hot, burning sensation on the tongue (usually from chili). Example: “The Thai curry was so spicy it made his eyes water.”
adjective
1
Containing spices, or producing a hot, burning sensation on the tongue (usually from chili).
"The Thai curry was so spicy it made his eyes water."
"She prefers mild sauces over anything too spicy."
"Be careful with the spicy salsa, because it burns if you eat too much."
2
Lively, scandalous, or mildly racy — used for talk, gossip, or behavior.
"The tabloid ran a spicy story about the actor's divorce."
"Their group chat gets pretty spicy once politics comes up."
"The comedian told a spicy joke that made half the audience gasp and laugh."
How to use spicy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHot-tasting food, or, informally, anything scandalous or exciting.
Common mistake
In cooking contexts "spicy" usually means chili-hot, not just "flavorful with spices" — a dish can be full of spices without being spicy.
Common pairings
spicy food
a spicy rumor
extra spicy
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Word forms
- Comparative
- spicier
- Superlative
- spiciest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The Thai curry was so _____ it made his eyes water.
Etymology
Formed from spice plus the adjective-forming suffix "-y," first recorded in the 1500s.
Class of 1500
spicy joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for spicy
See all rhymes for spicy →Frequently asked questions
What does “spicy” mean?
The word “spicy” means containing spices, or producing a hot, burning sensation on the tongue (usually from chili). In plain terms, hot-tasting food, or, informally, anything scandalous or exciting.
How do you pronounce “spicy”?
“Spicy” is pronounced SPEYE-see (/ˈspaɪsi/ in IPA).
How do you use “spicy” in a sentence?
Here is “spicy” used in a sentence: “The Thai curry was so spicy it made his eyes water.”
What is another word for “spicy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “spicy” include pungent, tangy and zesty.
What is the opposite of “spicy”?
The opposite of “spicy” — its antonyms — are bland, mild, unspicy and spiceless.
What part of speech is “spicy”?
“Spicy” is an adjective.
Where does the word “spicy” come from?
The word “spicy” dates back to around 1500. Formed from spice plus the adjective-forming suffix "-y," first recorded in the 1500s.
Is “spicy” a common word?
“Spicy” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between spicy and hot when describing food?
Spicy and hot are often used interchangeably for food that produces a burning sensation, usually from chili, though spicy can also describe food that is flavorful with a variety of seasonings, not just heat. Hot more narrowly points to the burning sensation itself.
What does it mean when gossip is described as spicy?
When talk or gossip is called spicy, it means it is lively, scandalous, or mildly racy rather than dull, describing information that is juicy or provocative rather than about actual heat or seasoning.
Is spicy always about chili peppers?
No, spicy can describe any food containing spices or producing a hot, burning sensation on the tongue, which often comes from chili but can also come from other pungent seasonings like ginger, pepper, or mustard.
