cayenne pepper

noun

1

: a pungent condiment consisting of the ground dried fruits or seeds of hot peppers

2

: hot pepper

especially : any of several cultivated peppers of a variety (Capsicum annuum var. longum) with very long twisted pungent red fruits

3

: the fruit of a cayenne pepper

Examples of cayenne pepper in a Sentence

a dash of cayenne pepper

Recent Examples on the Web

Use Homemade Spray To make a batch, combine 1 garlic bulb, 1 small onion, and 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a food processor or blender and process into a paste. —Jon Vanzile, The Spruce, 30 Jan. 2026

Whisk together chilies, butter, lemon juice, basil, celery seeds, salt and cayenne pepper in a small bowl until combined. —Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026

Season the pork chops with paprika, seasoned salt, and cayenne pepper. —Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026

Adjust salt and cayenne pepper as needed and serve. —The Know, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

by folk etymology from earlier cayan, ultimately modification of Tupi kɨʔɨ̃já, kɨʔɨ̃nʸá

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cayenne pepper

• leper
• lepper
• stepper