spicy

Everyday

1. Spicy food has a strong, hot or rich taste because it contains spices such as chilli or pepper. tree →
2. (informal) A spicy story or piece of news is a bit shocking, exciting or naughty. tree →
3. Spicy can also describe a sweet, warm smell like that of spices. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life it describes food: mild, medium, spicy; it warns that food may burn your mouth. In stories and gossip, spicy news is exciting and maybe rude. Phrases: spicy food, a bit spicy, too spicy, spicy gossip.

Examples

• This curry is too spicy for me. tree →
• Do you want the mild sauce or the spicy one? tree →
• Drink some milk if your mouth burns from spicy food. tree →
• Chilli makes the soup spicier. tree →
• The spiciest wings made Dad's eyes water. tree →
• She told me some spicy gossip about the new teacher. tree →
• Spicy food is popular in many countries. tree →

Note

Comparative: spicier, spiciest (y changes to i). «Spicy» often means «hot» in taste, not temperature: a cold salsa can still be spicy. «Hot» can mean either, so «hot soup» can be confusing.