spicy

adjective

ˈspī-sē 

spicier; spiciest

1

: having the flavor, fragrance, or quality of spice

a spicy perfume

especially : containing strong spices : piquant, zesty

spicy foods

2

: producing or abounding in spices

… the spicy isles of the Indies …

—Thomas G. Gentry born 1843

A tale of heroic misadventure followed, spiriting me from 16th-century Cornwall to the spicy shores of North Africa.

—Sophie Gee

3

: lively, spirited

a spicy temper

4

: engagingly provocative : racy

spicy language

especially : somewhat scandalous or salacious

spicy gossip

spicily

ˈspī-sə-lē 

adverb

spicily fragrant

spiciness

ˈspī-sē-nəs 

noun

the spiciness of black pepper

Synonyms

• suggestive
• blue
• salty

Examples of spicy in a Sentence

a spicy suggestion that earned him a slap in the face

Recent Examples on the Web

The scent is smoky yet sweet, spicy yet smooth, dark but with an underlying lightness—the result of combining clean white musk with rose, tobacco, suede, and cumin. —Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025

After the actress successfully completed her obstacle course of spicy wing eating, Palmer referenced Evans' past comments about her. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025

Or meet a date at the window counter for a glass of grower Champagne and oeufs manteiko, a Pacific version of the classic oeufs mayonnaise spiked with spicy pollock roe. —Brooke Baitinger september 16, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2025

Keke Palmer and Hot Ones host Sean Evans took the heat to new levels in a new episode of the spicy program. —Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 16 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for spicy

• dicey
• icy
• lycee
• pricey
• theodicy

Kids Definition

spicy

adjective

ˈspī-sē 

spicier; spiciest

1

: flavored with or containing spice

2

: somewhat shocking or indecent

a spicy story

spicily

-sə-lē 

adverb

spiciness

-sē-nəs 

noun