habanero

noun

ha·​ba·​ne·​ro ˌ(h)ä-bə-ˈn(y)er-ō How to pronounce habanero (audio)
variants or less commonly habañero
: a very hot roundish chili pepper (Capsicum chinense) that is usually orange when mature

Examples of habanero in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Saddle Up Sweet Heat has notes of cherry and a habanero kick. David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024 No rating Mango habanero wings The flavor was more akin to jalapeno, a milder tasting pepper, with a bit of sweetness, the critic said. The Indianapolis Star, 16 Feb. 2024 The habanero brine brings some heat reminiscent of a spicy margarita. Aly Walansky, Forbes, 17 Feb. 2024 Where the average foodie might enjoy a little Tabasco or enjoy trying habanero salsa and fiery vindaloo curry, these chili heads take their spice consumption to another level, competing around the country and abroad to chow down on dozens of the most scorching peppers at a time. Pat Saperstein, Variety, 24 Jan. 2024 Pour the blended habanero sauce all over the broccoli. Pati Jinich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2024 Next came asaro: a porridge of sweet white yams, tomatoes, red bell and habanero chiles and onions, to which Balogun added smoked shrimp and crayfish. Camille Okhio, New York Times, 25 May 2023 Each was the size of a street-style taco with double corn tortillas that tasted like homemade masa and come with a choice of four salsas ranging from habanero to mild tomatillo. Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2024 The smoky green chile cheesesteak uses the Los Calientes Verdes sauce while the hot habanero pepperoni and sausage hot pocket use the Los Calientes Rojo variation to bring the heat. Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 8 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'habanero.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish (chile) habanero, literally, Havanan chili

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of habanero was in 1972

Dictionary Entries Near habanero

Cite this Entry

“Habanero.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/habanero. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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