spicy

or spice·y

[ spahy-see ]

/ ˈspaɪ si /

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See synonyms for: spicy / spiciness on Thesaurus.com

adjective, spic·i·er, spic·i·est.

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.

Informal. full of spirit; lively.

OTHER WORDS FOR spicy

6 hot, sharp, peppery.

7 suggestive, racy, ribald, improper.

See synonyms for spicy on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of spicy

First recorded in 1555–65; spice + -y¹

OTHER WORDS FROM spicy

spic·i·ly, adverbspic·i·ness, nounun·spic·i·ly, adverbun·spic·i·ness, noun

un·spic·y, adjective

Words nearby spicy

spicula, spiculate, spiculation, spicule, spiculum, spicy, spide, spider, spider crab, spider fly, spider hole

How to use spicy in a sentence

The result is a spicy, aromatic wine with scents of lemongrass, orange peel and cardamom, plus ample mouthwatering acidity to make you come back for more.
This $15 pinot grigio from Italy’s mountains is bracing and edgy|Dave McIntyre|October 30, 2020|Washington Post
Its neutral taste pairs nicely with seasonings across the spectrum, from creamy to herbal to spicy, and the nooks and crannies of meat plus the cup of the shells help mussels capture and deliver flavor in every bite.
Mussels are simple to prepare, and add tasty drama to the table|Martha Holmberg|October 29, 2020|Washington Post
Two promising entries off to fast starts are spicy Canada Dry Bold, and Dr Pepper & Cream Soda.
Keurig is a machine: How the beverage giant is leveraging A.I. to fuel growth|Shawn Tully|October 19, 2020|Fortune
Just because I am brown and from Southeast Asia, does not mean that I love spicy food.
The American dating dilemma for immigrants|Tausif Sanzum|October 9, 2020|Washington Blade

The mouthfeel is warm, chewy, crispy, and slightly spicy, and the soupy consistency made for a hydrating dish.
The Best Ready-to-Eat Backpacking Meals|Jenny McCoy|October 8, 2020|Outside Online
I'm pleased with my decision to avoid the routine script problems in favor of the spicy stuff.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That seemed to imply a spicy sex life, I say to him the next day.
Gay Activist David Mixner: I Mercy Killed 8 People|Tim Teeman|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“I love spicy food, and my friends tell me that Sichuan hotpot has become very popular in Addis Abeba,” he said.
'Made in China' Now Being Made in Africa|Brendon Hong|August 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Seeing how the sausage is made is always interesting—even if the sausage isn't particularly spicy.
Generic and Superficial ‘Tyrant’ Amerisplains the Middle East|Andrew Romano|June 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Stewed apples, dusted with cinnamon, are an ideal companion to spicy food.
Charlottesville Is Swimming in Finger Lickin’ Gas Station Fried Chicken|Jane & Michael Stern|May 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She saw his eyes light up with eager pleasure as he placed the flowers close to his pillow, and inhaled their spicy fragrance.
They Looked and Loved|Mrs. Alex McVeigh Miller
Farther along, striped grass, mints, herbs and balsams made the air heavy with spicy odors when the dew was on the grass.
Maid Sally|Harriet A. Cheever
In ten minutes more he was in the spicy glooms of the spruce-woods.
The Watchers of the Trails|Charles G. D. Roberts
How inferior to these the trees of Lebanon in sacrifice, or all the spicy mountains of Arabia in a blaze!
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. I|Francis Augustus Cox
To the farmer's peremptory call he returned the spicy repartee of a cheerful bark.
Greyfriars Bobby|Eleanor Atkinson

British Dictionary definitions for spicy

spicy

/ (ˈspaɪsɪ) /

adjective spicier or spiciest

seasoned with or containing spice

highly flavoured; pungent

informal suggestive of scandal or sensation

producing or yielding spices

Derived forms of spicy

spicily, adverbspiciness, noun

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

spicy

or spice·y

OTHER WORDS FOR spicy

Origin of spicy

OTHER WORDS FROM spicy

Words nearby spicy

Words related to spicy

How to use spicy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for spicy

Derived forms of spicy