spicy

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English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From spice +‎ -y, attested since the 16th century.

Pronunciation

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Adjective

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spicy (comparative spicier, superlative spiciest)

  1. Of, pertaining to, or containing spice.
    He prepared a spicy casserole.
  2. (informal, of flavors) Provoking a burning sensation due to the presence of capsaicin.
    This curry is too spicy for me. I can't eat it.
  3. (of foods, flavors, or odors) Tangy, zesty, or pungent.
    She breathed in the strong, spicy aroma.
    • 1769, Firishta, translated by Alexander Dow, Tales translated from the Persian of Inatulla of Delhi, volume I, Dublin: P. and W. Wilson et al., page iv:
      The breath of the mountain heifer was fragrant as the gales of Sirendiep, by feeding on ſpicy herbs.
  4. (of expression or behavior) Vigorous; colorful; stimulating.
    He is known for his spicy political commentary.
  5. Scandalous.
  6. (Internet slang) Risky; mildly aggressive or dangerous.
    Look at the little wildcub! That's one spicy ball of fur.
  7. (Internet slang) Risqué, sexy, racy; mildly pornographic.
    I don't want my children to see the spicy images on this web site.

Synonyms

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Derived terms

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Translations

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The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

See also

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Basic tastes in English (layout · text)
sweet sour salty bitter spicy savory

References

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Lower Sorbian

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Pronunciation

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Adjective

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spicy

  1. sleeping, asleep
  2. dormant (e.g. of a volcano)

Declension

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Participle

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spicy

  1. past active participle of spaś

Declension

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Synonyms

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References

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  • Muka, Arnošt (1921, 1928) “spicy”, in Słownik dolnoserbskeje rěcy a jeje narěcow (in German), St. Petersburg, Prague: ОРЯС РАН, ČAVU; Reprinted Bautzen: Domowina-Verlag, 2008
  • Starosta, Manfred (1999) “spicy”, in Dolnoserbsko-nimski słownik / Niedersorbisch-deutsches Wörterbuch (in German), Bautzen: Domowina-Verlag