jalapeño

or ja·la·pe·no

[ hah-luh-peyn-yoh; Spanish hah-lah-pe-nyaw ]

/ ˌhɑ ləˈpeɪn yoʊ; Spanish ˌhɑ lɑˈpɛ nyɔ /

Save This Word!

Definition of jalapeño

noun, plural ja·la·pe·ños

[hah-luh-peyn-yohz; Spanish hah-lah-pe-nyaws]. /ˌhɑ ləˈpeɪn yoʊz; Spanish ˌhɑ lɑˈpɛ nyɔs/.

a hot green or orange-red chile pepper, the fruit of a variety of Capsicum annuum, used especially in Mexican cooking.

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also called ja·la·pe·ño pep·per

[hah-luh-peyn-yoh pep-er, Spanish hah-lah-pe-nyaw]. /ˌhɑ ləˈpeɪn yoʊ ˈpɛp ər, Spanish ˌhɑ lɑˈpɛ nyɔ/.

Origin of jalapeño

First recorded in 1935–40; from Mexican Spanish (chile ) jalapeño “(chile of) Jalapa”; see also chile¹

Words nearby jalapeño

Jalalabad, Jalal ud-din Rumi, Jalandhar, jalap, Jalapa, jalapeño, jalapin, jalee, Jalisco, jalopy, jalor

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use jalapeño in a sentence

Salt-and-pepper shrimp stars springy seafood in a jumble of sliced jalapeños and smoky-sweet onions.
At Lucky Danger, two talented chefs just want to have fun with their American Chinese food|Tom Sietsema|March 19, 2021|Washington Post
Add some spicy bites to your sauce by chopping some jalapeños, or even replace some of the water with jalapeño juice—the liquid the peppers come in when you buy them in a jar.
Scientific tips for making perfect nacho cheese|Sandra Gutierrez G.|February 4, 2021|Popular-Science
Lastly, when it comes to heat, including the whole jalapeño will lead to a prominent, but manageable, level of spice.
This vegan soup gathers greens, grains and peanut butter in one spicy bowl|Aaron Hutcherson|January 7, 2021|Washington Post
Her tortilla chips are made to order and warm to the touch when you eat them, preferably with the chef’s surprisingly light guacamole, best ordered “spicy” with jalapeño.
Taqueria Xochi serves mouthwatering Mexican food from a tiny U Street storefront|Tom Sietsema|December 18, 2020|Washington Post

Add the onions to the skillet in two piles and top with the jalapeño slices.
Give in to pandemic cravings, starting with a homemade cheesesteak sandwich|David Hagedorn|December 10, 2020|Washington Post
Add jalapeno slices and pineapple and drizzle Cholula on top.
Lights, Camera, Cocktails|Brody Brown|September 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST
By the time I got to the recipe for bacon jalapeno pizza—a personal favorite of mine—I was almost ready to forgive Ms. Lauer.
'Bacon Tastes Good, Get Over It'|Julie Powell|May 15, 2009|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for jalapeño

jalapeño

/ (dʒæləˈpiːnəʊ, Spanish xalaˈpenjo) /

noun

a very hot type of green chilli pepper, used esp in Mexican cookeryAlso: jalapeño pepper

Word Origin for jalapeño

Mexican Spanish

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012