# spicy

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈspaɪsi/ · frequency rank #9,672

## Definitions
1. Of, pertaining to, or containing spice.
2. Of a flavor, provoking a burning sensation due to the presence of capsaicin or a similar chemical.
3. Of a food, flavor, or odor, tangy, zesty, or pungent.
4. Of an expression or behavior, vigorous; colorful; stimulating.
5. Scandalous.
6. Risky; mildly aggressive or dangerous.
7. Risqué, sexy, racy; mildly pornographic.

## Etymology
From spic(e) + -y. First attested in the 16th century.

## Easily confused with
- **spy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spicy-vs-spy)
- **spin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spicy-vs-spin)
- **spit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spicy-vs-spit)
- **stick** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spicy-vs-stick)
- **spray** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spicy-vs-spray)
- **spite** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spicy-vs-spite)
- **spike** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spicy-vs-spike)
- **spine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spicy-vs-spine)
- **spill** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spicy-vs-spill)
- **spies** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spicy-vs-spies)
- **spins** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spicy-vs-spins)
- **Stacy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spicy-vs-stacy)
- **spire** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spicy-vs-spire)
- **Spock** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spicy-vs-spock)
- **spilt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spicy-vs-spilt)
- **spiky** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spicy-vs-spiky)
- **spiro** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spicy-vs-spiro)
- **spina** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spicy-vs-spina)
- **spiel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spicy-vs-spiel)
- **spiny** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spicy-vs-spiny)

## Common misspellings (8)
`psicy`, `sipcy`, `spciy`, `spiccy`, `spicyy`, `spiyc`, `sppicy`, `sspicy`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/spicy