spicy
Americanadjective
-
spicier,
comparative
-
spiciest
superlative
-
seasoned with or containing spice.
a spicy salad dressing.
-
characteristic or suggestive of spice.
-
of the nature of or resembling spice.
-
abounding in or yielding spices.
-
aromatic or fragrant.
-
piquant or pungent.
spicy criticism.
-
of a slightly improper or risqué nature; somewhat sexy.
a spicy novel.
- Synonyms:
- improper, ribald, racy, suggestive
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Informal. full of spirit; lively.
adjective
-
seasoned with or containing spice
-
highly flavoured; pungent
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informal suggestive of scandal or sensation
-
producing or yielding spices
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Adjectives
Etymology
Origin of spicy
Explanation
Spicy things have a sharp, strong, pungent flavor. Hot chili peppers—and food that's made with them—are notoriously spicy. People who don't like spicy food might be hesitant to try an Indian, Thai, or Mexican restaurant, since the cuisines of those countries are known for being spicy. But if you love the way curries tingle on your tongue, then you're a fan of spicy dishes. Spicy is also used to mean "exciting but vulgar or inappropriate," like a spicy joke that's not suitable for school.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Everything simmered together into a rich, savory, slightly spicy skillet situation.
From Salon ● Nov. 5, 2026
Speaking on Fox News on Wednesday after the vote, Waltz said that the previous day's debate, "got a little spicy."
From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026
It serves a concise but delectable menu until 4 a.m. from Thursday to Saturday—including noodles in spicy peanut sauce, a succulent shrimp spring roll, and fresh cucumber garnished with homemade chili paste.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026
“I really do look for a day when we can just be people and not just be the funny, spicy friend,” she adds.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
I take a small bite, and the ground mincemeat patty is exactly the way I like it, not too spicy, and no big pieces of onion or coriander.
From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan
Tea companies say they’re benefiting from those seeking a spicier, more full-bodied drink.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
Dave’s Hot Chicken has adopted a similar premise for its spicier entry into the market, but for many Caniacs, nothing beats the stripped-down glory of the original.
From Slate ● Aug. 24, 2026
The protester, Seth Todd, responded with a joke, saying he had tasted "spicier tamales".
From BBC ● Dec. 27, 2025
He greets them with the same line—something about how they’re spicier than anything in his store—and they laugh as if they’ve never heard it before.
From Salon ● Aug. 26, 2025
Could justice ever have served up a spicier dish whereon to regale the multitude?
From The Light of Scarthey by Egerton Castle
“The spice level on this album is high,” Swift said, as Fallon confirmed, “It’s the spiciest yet.”
From Salon ● Oct. 7, 2025
One of the spiciest dishes I’ve ever tasted was at Jitlada and they have a competition surrounding it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 20, 2024
Sept. 20, Mullenweg hosted a session that he previewed as being “one of my spiciest WordCamp presentations ever.”
From Slate ● Oct. 11, 2024
All the while, the guest of honor at the NBA’s spiciest debate wears the expression of someone being held against his will.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 24, 2023
Julia’s now redder than the spiciest hot wings.
From "A Good Kind of Trouble" by Lisa Moore Ramée
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
