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

The finish is long and sweet, with lingering fruity and spicy notes. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025

They are known for serving Sichuan, a specific type of Chinese cuisine that is hot and spicy. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Jan. 2025

Serve the crisp-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside snack with spicy hoisin sauce for a fiery kick. —Megan Zhang, Saveur, 16 Jan. 2025

The 66-dollar house ticket includes a tasting of the spicy smooth five-year-old rum (150 dollars in the gift shop). —Patrick Scott, New York Times, 16 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