spicy

adjective

ˈspī-sē How to pronounce spicy (audio)
spicier; spiciest
Synonyms of spicynext
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 How to pronounce spicy (audio)
adverb
spicily fragrant
spiciness
ˈspī-sē-nəs How to pronounce spicy (audio)
noun
the spiciness of black pepper

Synonyms of spicy

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Examples of spicy in a Sentence

a spicy suggestion that earned him a slap in the face
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.
The resulting meatballs were moist, herby, spiced, seasoned, spicy and just a joy to eat. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Braeburns have pronounced sweetness balanced by tartness, and their flavor becomes richer, almost spicy, in the oven. — Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026 Jjamppong is a noodle soup with a spicy red pork broth filled with garlic, squid, mussels, pork, cabbage, carrots, Korean zucchini and onion. — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Bursting with 101 recipes for everything from spicy butter masala pasta to dirty chai espresso martinis, the cookbook rejoices in the culinary possibilities that arise with blending cultures. — Emma Specter, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spicy

Word History

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spicy was in 1543

Rhymes for spicy

See All Rhymes for spicy

Browse Nearby Words

spiculum
spicy
spicy fleabane
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spicy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spicy. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

spicy

adjective
ˈspī-sē How to pronounce spicy (audio)
spicier; spiciest
1
: flavored with or containing spice
2
: somewhat shocking or indecent
a spicy story
spicily
-sə-lē How to pronounce spicy (audio)
adverb
spiciness
-sē-nəs How to pronounce spicy (audio)
noun
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