cayenne

¹ American  

[kahy-en, key-, kahy-en] / kaɪˈɛn, keɪ-, ˈkaɪˌɛn /

noun

1. a hot, biting condiment composed of the ground pods and seeds of the pepper Capsicum annuum longum.

2. the long, wrinkled, twisted fruit of this plant.

3. the plant itself.

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Cayenne ² American  

[kahy-en, key-] / kaɪˈɛn, keɪ- /

noun

1. a seaport in and the capital of French Guiana.

2. Also called cayenne whist.  (lowercase) a variety of whist played with two full packs of 52 cards each.

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Cayenne British  

/ keɪˈɛn /

noun

1. the capital of French Guiana, on an island at the mouth of the Cayenne River: French penal settlement from 1854 to 1938. Pop: 50 594 (1999)

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Other Word Forms

• cayenned adjective

Etymology

Origin of cayenne

1750–60; short for cayenne pepper, formerly cayan < Tupi kyinha, but long associated with Cayenne

Example Sentences

Some Rams players reportedly put cayenne pepper in their socks to keep the heat in their feet.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 18, 2026

A hit of Worcestershire deepens the savoriness, and a dusting of cayenne on the finished dish offers a quiet jolt, just enough to make you notice it.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2025

The fried chicken is typically coated in a mixture of cayenne and paprika that singes the tongue.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 15, 2025

The cafe now offers six varieties and Ms Geraedts said customers loved the dish's rich, comforting flavour, seasoned with cayenne pepper, nutmeg, paprika and Worcestershire sauce.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2025

I pour flour, salt, more salt, pepper, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne into a doubled paper sack.

From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett