spicy

USAGE SUMMARY

"spicy" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has a strong, hot flavor, or to describe a situation that is exciting or complex. Example: The spicy jalapeno salsa added a delicious kick to our tacos.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One did not need to be a rune-reader to predict their meeting in the second round of Italia 90 was likely to be spicy.

The Guardian - Sport

For food, the Coast Café above the Ogaan shop at the eastern end of Back Lane serves good fish curry with kokum (the dried peel of a tamarind-like fruit), malabar parathas (stuffed, spicy flatbreads) and zingy fish tacos.

The Guardian - Travel

We enjoyed delicious West Indian breakfasts of okra "chop-up", saltfish, spicy sausage and johnny cakes.

The Guardian - Travel

Soft, sweet, spicy and satisfying, it has become a work lunch staple, simmering away behind me on the hob as I write at my kitchen table.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the winter months the mulligatawny soup – a spicy variation on lentil soup cooked in south Indian style – is a perfect compliment to onion bhaji or gobi pakora (cauliflower fried in chick-pea flour).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Only one wing has been rebuilt so far, but the welcome is friendly, and they'll bring a delicious breakfast of roti or dosas, with spicy sambol, tropical fruits and tea, to your room.

The Guardian - Travel

Ivor Peters, urbanrajah.com Occasionally this dish can just mean spicy sauce with eggs, but in this version the eggs and the chilli are well-matched sparring partners.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The quality of Greek whites and spicy Lebanese reds has never been higher, but Cyprus and Turkey are also worth a look.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To be honest, it's largely there as a creamy foil to the spicy spinach, so I don't feel too guilty about buying it in, though I will be attempting to improve my cheesemaking technique in the future.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

South-east Asian salads are a great balance of salty, sweet-sour and spicy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's worth checking out the specials board but the chicken tikka masala is a safe bet, as is the muttar paneer – homemade cottage cheese and green peas cooked in spicy capsicum and tomato sauce.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food, be specific about the type of spice contributing to the "spicy" flavor (e.g., chili, pepper, ginger) for a more vivid and nuanced description.

Common error

Avoid using "spicy" as a catch-all term. Instead of saying "the discussion got spicy", consider more precise alternatives like "heated", "controversial", or "intense" to better reflect the specific nature of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "spicy" primarily functions to modify nouns, indicating a quality or characteristic associated with them. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, as showcased in the examples, where it describes food, discussions, and details.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Lifestyle

30%

Travel

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "spicy" functions as an adjective with multiple meanings, primarily related to taste but also extending metaphorically to describe exciting or risqué content. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. It is a very common term, particularly in the contexts of News & Media, Lifestyle, and Travel. While generally neutral, its register can shift to informal when used to describe inappropriate content. When precision is needed, especially when referring to heat, consider using alternative terms like "piquant" or "pungent" for a more nuanced description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hot

Focuses on the heat sensation, often interchangeable when referring to food.

piquant

Suggests a pleasantly sharp or stimulating taste, slightly more refined than "spicy".

pungent

Emphasizes a strong, sharp smell or taste, applicable to both food and non-food items.

flavorful

Indicates a rich and distinctive taste, not necessarily hot.

zesty

Highlights a lively and exciting quality, often associated with citrus flavors or energetic personalities.

racy

When referring to content, this conveys a riské or suggestive quality, similar to one specific sense of "spicy".

risqué

Very similar to racy in the sense that implies mild impropriety.

tangy

Implies a sharp distinctive taste, often fruity.

vigorous

Used to suggest powerful

stimulating

Implies a strong impact on senses.

FAQs

How can I use "spicy" in a sentence?

You can use "spicy" to describe food, for example, "This chili is too spicy for me." It can also describe situations or content, as in, "The debate became quite spicy."

What are some synonyms for "spicy" when describing food?

When describing food, you can use synonyms like "hot", "piquant", "pungent", or "zesty" depending on the specific flavor profile.

What can I say instead of "spicy" to describe a situation or content?

To describe a situation, consider using alternatives like "heated", "controversial", or "intense". For content, you might use "racy" or "risqué".

Is it correct to use "spicy" to describe something other than food?

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to use "spicy" metaphorically to describe something exciting, interesting, or slightly inappropriate, though consider alternatives for greater precision.