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 spicy salsa and tangy cucumber salad brought out the best of the tender birria. —Jessica Boehm, Axios, 9 Apr. 2025

The finish is long and flavorful, with a lingering spicy aftertaste of cinnamon and clove notes. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

May 10–11 — Minnesota Songkran Festival, Capitol: This celebration of the Thai new year returns with live music, dance, vendors and the annual spicy papaya-eating contest — not for the faint of heart! —Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2025

Today, Pronto offers sandwich fixings ranging from roasted eggplant and spicy zucchini to burrata and pistachio cream. —Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 4 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