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

Simple things like eating more protein, high-intensity interval training, lifting weights, avoiding skipping meals, drinking the right things, eating more spicy foods, and getting enough sleep can all significantly increase your metabolic rate. —Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 1 May 2025

To correct for this, astronauts tend to prefer spicy foods or adding spicy sauces, like sriracha, tabasco or red pepper paste. —Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 1 May 2025

Spring Shabu 136-20 38th Avenue, 2nd floor While hot pot restaurants with larger or spicier soup bases have been trending, Wang depends on the Japanese buffet-style Spring Shabu upstairs at Queens Crossing. —Rachel Chang, AFAR Media, 1 May 2025

Here’s where to go in California to find the best diabolically hot treats: Love spicy food? —Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 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