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 of spicy

• 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

Wellness Junkie Belnu Chai Fleur, $170 For the clean-fragrance-only crew, Belnu’s newest paraben- and phthalate-free scent blends essential oils with alcohol, water and floral-spicy notes of cinnamon, cardamom and violet. —Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 25 Nov. 2025

Sip chai or taste Currywurst, the post–World War II Berlin favorite of sausage topped with spicy curry ketchup. —Meena Thiruvengadam, Travel + Leisure, 25 Nov. 2025

But a spicy tuna roll later, he was hooked. —Chris Kenning, USA Today, 25 Nov. 2025

Many beers, especially ones that are highly carbonated, are well-matched for food that is fatty, rich or sometimes even spicy, and can cut through and cleanse the palate between bites. —Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 24 Nov. 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