SPEYE-see
/ˈspaɪsi/
spicy is pronounced SPEYE-see (/ˈspaɪsi/). Spicy describes food or flavors that have a strong, hot, piquant heat, often from chili peppers or spices. It can also characterize a tone, style, or situation that is bold, lively, or provocative. The term typically implies noticeable heat without bitterness, and is common in casual dining and food critique.
Spicy describes food or flavors that have a strong, hot, piquant heat, often from chili peppers or spices. It can also characterize a tone, style, or situation that is bold, lively, or provocative. The term typically implies noticeable heat without bitterness, and is common in casual dining and food critique.
"The chili sauce is really spicy, so add a little more milk to balance it."
"She wore a spicy red dress that turned heads at the party."
"The curry simmered all afternoon and became increasingly spicy."
Pronounce it as /ˈspaɪsi/ in US, UK, and AU. The primary stress is on the first syllable: SPY-si. Start with /sp/ as a voiceless consonant blend, then the diphthong /aɪ/ as in ‘fly,’ followed by a clear /s/ and a final /i/ vowel as in ‘see.’ Avoid turning the second syllable into a separate syllable with a long vowel; keep it short and clipped: /ˈspaɪ.si/.
Common errors include misplacing stress (placing effort on the second syllable), or turning the first syllable into /spɪ/ or /spɛ/ with a reduced vowel. Some learners insert an extra consonant between /s/ and /p/, or pronounce the final /i/ as a schwa. Correct by ensuring /ˈspaɪ.si/ with the diphthong /aɪ/ clearly heard and the final /i/ as a high front vowel. Practice by isolating the two syllables: /ˈspaɪ/ and /si/.
In US, the /ɪ/ in the second syllable is often tense toward a close front vowel, but commonly realized as /i/ in careful speech. In UK, the /i/ may be slightly shorter and more clipped, with a crisper /s/ at the end. Australian speakers typically maintain a clear /i/ and an unrounded quality on the /ɪ/ diphthong, with a slightly more relaxed /i/ in the second syllable. The primary stress remains on the first syllable in all three accents.
The difficulty often lies in the initial consonant cluster /sp/, which requires precise timing and a burst of air, followed by a clear diphthong /aɪ/ that transitions smoothly into the /si/ final. Keeping the second syllable unstressed and avoiding a trailing schwa is key. Additionally, many learners shorten the first diphthong or slur the /s/ before /i/. Practice isolating the two syllables and then linking them smoothly with controlled speed.
Spicy combines a strong initial cluster /sp/ with a prominent diphthong /aɪ/ and a high front vowel /i/ at the end. The combination tests both timing of the stop-blend and vowel precision, especially under rapid speech. Also, the final /i/ can be rushed or reduced in some dialects, causing a loss of the crisp finish. By focusing on keeping the two syllables distinct and maintaining the high front vowel, you’ll achieve a natural, confident pronunciation.
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Spicy comes from the word spice, which traces to the Latin species ‘kind, appearance, sort, or kind of pepper’ and the Old French especier (to spicify) related to spice. Early English usage of spicy described foods with strong, pungent seasonings and heat, akin to peppers and other aromatics. The term acquired its association with heat and piquancy in culinary contexts by the late 16th to 17th centuries as spices and peppers became integral to global trade. The sense evolved to include metaphorical boldness or liveliness (as in spicy humor or a spicy personality) in modern English. First known use in a figurative sense emphasizing boldness appears in the 19th century, paralleling the global spice trade’s cultural diffusion and the rise of global cuisines in Western discourse. By the 20th century, spicy had settled into common usage for both tastes and stylings, maintaining its core idea of heat and intensity while broadening into descriptors for fashion, humor, and media tone.
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Help others use "spicy" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "spicy" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "spicy" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "spicy"
-fty sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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