variants or less commonly aji
plural ajíes also ajies or ajís or ajis
: a chili pepper that ranges in pungency from mild to very hot and is produced by several usually cultivated varieties of a wild South American capsicum (Capsicum baccatum)
also : a plant bearing ají peppers

Examples of ají in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Wonton chips and smoked ropa vieja are topped by cotija cheese, aji amarillo sauce and a ponzu reduction. Martin Vassolo, Axios, 4 Oct. 2024 Ceviche will make an appearance, with local grouper dry-aged and served with aji limo leche de tigre and percebes (gooseneck barnacles). Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 13 May 2024 Swipes through smooth aji verde bring cooling herbal contrast. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024 Counteracting all that fat is an aji criollo, a thick green sauce of garlic, peppers and herbs that thrums with lime juice and vinegar. Gabe Hiatt, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2023 Holding it all together is a fluffy flour tortilla smeared with a spicy and sour aji verde sauce. Kat Thompson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2023 Martinez tasted the mixture, added some more aji and then tasted again. Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2023 The tender seafood is coiled on a hash of potatoes, chorizo and corn that gets a nice assist from dots of sunny yellow aji amarillo aioli. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2023 Make double batches and drizzle the aji verde over a bowl of black beans and long-grain rice, or toss roasted potatoes, peppers and onions in the chimichurri. Anna Luisa Rodriguez, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish ají, from Taino axí

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ají was in 1822

Dictionary Entries Near ají

Cite this Entry

“Ají.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aj%C3%AD. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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