picante

American  

[pi-kahn-tey, pee-kahn-te] / pɪˈkɑn teɪ, piˈkɑn tɛ /

adjective

1. prepared so as to be very hot and spicy, especially with a hot and spicy sauce.

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noun

plural

picantes

1. any food that is very hot and spicy, especially a hot sauce.

Etymology

Origin of picante

< Spanish: spicy, hot, past participle of picar to prick, bite; see pique ¹, piquant

Example Sentences

The Saavedra family put the ingredients on paper for the first time earlier this year as they sold the beloved brand to backers who plan to make their salsa picante even bigger beyond California’s borders.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

"The pizza features mozzarella, tomato, soppressata picante, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and a hefty drizzle of Mike's Hot Honey, which is drizzled on the pie when it's bubbly and fresh out of the oven," wrote Song.

From Salon • Jun. 27, 2021

The meats are folded around a pocket of lettuce, provolone picante, tomatoes and onions, then dressed simply with olive oil and vinegar.

From Washington Post • Nov. 26, 2018

The show's Latin-flavored music has a zesty kick, but even more picante are the fast one-liners by Salinas, a member of the irrepressible Chicano comedy group Culture Clash.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 9, 2012

The most favorite picantes are the calapulcra, the lagua, the zango, the charquican, the adobas, the picante de ullucos, &c.

From Travels in Peru, on the Coast, in the Sierra, Across the Cordilleras and the Andes, into the Primeval Forests by Ross, Thomasina