serrano

noun

ser·​ra·​no sə-ˈrä-(ˌ)nō How to pronounce serrano (audio)
si-
plural serranos
: a small very hot chili pepper that is red when mature

Examples of serrano 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.
Step 2 Muddle ¼ serrano chili, stem and seeds removed, coarsely chopped, in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. — Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026 Castro similarly uses charred poblanos as the base of her green sauce and cream cheese for richness, while amping up the color and flavor with fresh parsley and the heat of a serrano. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 21 July 2026 The tang of the sauce was eye-widening and immediate, crackling with the bright, citrusy charge of tomatillos and serrano chiles. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 Uechi also invented the now-popular spicy tuna crispy rice, a dish featuring a rectangle of rice seared and topped with a spicy tuna mixture and a serrano pepper slice, at the Katsuya Brentwood location, according to Resy. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for serrano

Word History

Etymology

Mexican Spanish, from Spanish serrano, adjective, montane, highland, from sierra mountain range — more at sierra

First Known Use

circa 1972, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of serrano was circa 1972

Rhymes for serrano

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Browse Nearby Words

Serranidae
serrano
serranoid
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Cite this Entry

“Serrano.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serrano. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on serrano

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about serrano

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