spicy

spicy — adjective

1. having a strong, pungent taste that comes from adding spices or other hot flavou

1.形容詞A2
釋義

having a strong, pungent taste that comes from adding spices or other hot flavourings such as chilli to food

例句

Amira ordered the spicy chicken curry and drank two glasses of water.

Jiwoo's grandmother added extra chilli flakes to make the stew even spicier.

comparative form: spicier

同義詞
  • hot

    focuses on the burning sensation from chilli; less broad than 'spicy'

  • pungent

    emphasises a sharp, strong smell or taste; more formal

  • fiery

    suggests an intense, almost burning level of heat; more dramatic

  • seasoned

    refers to any flavouring with herbs or spices, not necessarily hot

反義詞
  • mild

    opposite in terms of heat level

  • bland

    lacking any strong flavour; negative connotation

文法句型

spicy + noun

be/look/taste + spicy

用法筆記

Comparative form is spicier, superlative is spiciest. Can describe any level of heat — from mildly seasoned to intensely hot — often specified with an intensifier (mildly spicy, very spicy, extremely spicy).

常見錯誤

❌This dish tastes very spice.
✅This dish tastes very spicy.
💡'Spice' is a noun; 'spicy' is the adjective form.
❌The soup is spicy hot.
✅The soup is spicy.' OR 'The soup is hot.
💡'Spicy' already implies heat; 'spicy hot' is redundant.
❌I like spicy food very much.
✅I really like spicy food.
💡Natural English avoids 'very much' after the object with 'like'.

2. describing stories, jokes, images, or conversations that are sexually exciting o

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describing stories, jokes, images, or conversations that are sexually exciting or involve shocking topics in an entertaining way

例句

The comedian told a rather spicy joke that made several people in the audience gasp.

modifying nouns: spicy joke / spicy rumour / spicy novel

Beatriz bought a spicy romance novel to read on the plane to Tokyo.

同義詞
  • racy

    very close in meaning; slightly more formal than 'spicy'

  • risqué

    specifically about being slightly indecent; French loanword, more sophisticated

  • provocative

    broader — can be sexual or political; more formal

  • saucy

    playfully bold or cheeky; more light-hearted than 'spicy'

反義詞
  • tame

    dull and unexciting; opposite of provocative

  • wholesome

    morally good and family-friendly

文法句型

spicy + noun (joke/story/novel/rumour)

be/turn + spicy

用法筆記

Commonly used with nouns like joke, story, novel, rumour, film, gossip, or photo. Typically describes content that is suggestively sexual rather than explicitly pornographic. Often carries a tone of playful disapproval.

常見錯誤

❌She told a spicy taste story.
✅She told a spicy story.
💡When 'spicy' means risqué, you cannot combine it with 'taste'; the two senses are separate.

3. feeling or showing a sudden anger and a strong desire to argue, fight, or confro

3.形容詞C1
釋義

feeling or showing a sudden anger and a strong desire to argue, fight, or confront someone, often in a sporting or competitive context

例句

After the referee's bad call, Coach Rodriguez became spicy and shouted at the officials.

verb pattern: became spicy / got spicy / turned spicy

Tara gets spicy whenever anyone criticises her homemade pasta sauce.

同義詞
  • hot-tempered

    more permanent personality trait; not situation-specific like 'spicy'

  • feisty

    energetic and determined, not necessarily angry; more positive

  • irascible

    formal; describes a person habitually prone to anger

反義詞
  • calm

    opposite emotional state

  • easy-going

    personality opposite of quick-tempered

文法句型

get/become/turn + spicy

spicy + with + noun

用法筆記

Almost always used predicatively (get/become/turn spicy) rather than attributively. Most common in American sports commentary and informal conversation about arguments or confrontations. Often implies that the anger is sudden and temporarily intense.

常見錯誤

❌He was spicy at me.
✅He got spicy with me.
💡Uses 'with' not 'at' when referring to a person.
❌She is a spicy person.
✅She gets spicy easily.
💡Attributive use is very rare; predicative with 'get' or 'become' is far more natural.