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

Explanation

Cayenne is a hot pepper plant. A cayenne is related to a green bell pepper, but it's much spicier. Most cayenne is eaten as a spice — seeds from the plant are dried and ground, then judiciously sprinkled in dishes like chili and Buffalo wings. In its dry form, cayenne is a bright red powder. The word cayennne was mistakenly associated with the capital of French Guiana, Cayenne, though there's actually no relation between the place and the plant. Instead, the root is the Tupi word kyynha.

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

Bread & butter pickles aren’t an ideal choice, but they could work for a spicier lemonade that incorporates cayenne pepper and jalapeños.

From Salon • Aug. 29, 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

That night, when all the kids were in bed, Mama and Papa sat in the living room holding thick ceramic mugs filled with hot chocolate spiced with cayenne and cinnamon.

From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser