habanero

noun

ha·​ba·​ne·​ro ˌ(h)ä-bə-ˈn(y)er-ō 

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

In a 2015 taste test of hot sauces (from Tapatío to habanero) for this paper with former food editor Amy Scattergood, Gold, Harris and chef judges Roy Choi and Alvin Cailan, Lao Gan Ma’s chili crisp was the winner. —Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2025

Add the allspice berries, bay leaves, Scotch bonnet (or habanero) pepper and clove to the pot. —Vicky Hallett, NPR, 1 Apr. 2025

The menu will also feature a few only-in-Miami items, like hamachi crudo served with winter citrus, golden beets and habanero ponzu, Dover sole and a dessert named Orange Dreamsicle, with orange mousse, yuzu puree and mint basil granita. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2025

But as satires go, this one is more mild than habanero. —Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish (chile) habanero, literally, Havanan chili

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for habanero

• boro
• burro
• burrough
• burrow
• furrow
• thorough
• yarborough