Spice vs. Spicy — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on December 25, 2023
"Spice" is a noun referring to flavor-enhancing substances from plants, while "spicy" is an adjective describing a strong, often hot, taste from spices.
Difference Between Spice and Spicy
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Spice" denotes a substance, usually of plant origin, used to flavor or color food. "Spicy," in contrast, is an adjective that describes the quality or flavor of something that has spices, often indicating a hot or piquant taste.
Examples of "spice" include cinnamon, turmeric, and pepper, which are used in cooking for their distinctive flavors and aromas. "Spicy," however, describes the sensation or taste quality that these spices impart to a dish, like the heat of chili peppers.
"Spice" can be used in both singular and plural forms to refer to one or multiple such flavoring agents. "Spicy," being an adjective, does not change form and is used to modify nouns, indicating the presence or degree of spice in them.
In culinary terms, "spice" is an essential component for creating diverse and culturally specific dishes. "Spicy," on the other hand, often characterizes the cuisine of certain regions known for their use of potent spices, such as Indian or Thai food.
"Spice" can also metaphorically denote variety or excitement. Conversely, "spicy" can describe not just food, but also things that are exciting, lively, or risqué in a metaphorical sense.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun
Adjective
Definition
A plant substance used to flavor or color food
Having a strong, pungent flavor typical of spices
Usage in Cooking
Ingredient added for flavor
Describing the hot or piquant taste of a dish
Varieties
Includes cinnamon, pepper, turmeric, etc.
Describes varying levels of heat and flavor
Metaphorical Usage
Can mean excitement or variety
Can describe something exciting or risqué
Compare with Definitions
Spice
Flavoring Agent: A substance used to add flavor to food.
She added spice to the soup for extra flavor.
Spicy
Piquant Flavor: Having a strong, often hot flavor.
She loves spicy food, especially hot curries.
Spice
Culinary Variety: An element that adds diversity to cuisine.
The chef is known for his use of exotic spices.
Spicy
Heat Sensation: Causing a burning sensation in the mouth.
This salsa is too spicy for my taste.
Spice
Plant Origin: A product from plants used in cooking.
The recipe calls for a variety of spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
Spicy
Exciting Quality: Lively or spirited; metaphorically hot.
The party had a spicy atmosphere.
Spice
Preservative Agent: Historically used to preserve food.
Spices were vital for preserving meat before refrigeration.
Spicy
Risqué Connotation: Suggestively provocative or risqué.
The novel had a spicy storyline.
Spice
Metaphorical Excitement: Something that adds interest or excitement.
Their conversation needed some spice to liven it up.
Spicy
Vivid Description: Descriptive of vivid and striking experiences.
They shared spicy tales of their adventures.
Spice
A spice is a seed, fruit, root, bark, or other plant substance primarily used for flavoring or coloring food. Spices are distinguished from herbs, which are the leaves, flowers, or stems of plants used for flavoring or as a garnish.
Spicy
Flavoured with or fragrant with spice
Pasta in a spicy tomato sauce
Spice
An aromatic or pungent vegetable substance used to flavour food, e.g. cloves, pepper, or cumin
The cake is packed with spices
Sift together flour, baking powder, and mixed spice
Spicy
Having the flavor, aroma, or quality of spice.
Spice
A russet or ginger colour.
Spicy
Piquant; zesty
A spicy tomato sauce.
Spice
Sweets; confectionery.
Spicy
Producing or abounding in spices.
Spice
A type of synthetic cannabis
He was smoking spice to cope with his anxiety
Spicy
High-spirited; lively.
Spice
Flavour with spice
Turbot with a spiced sauce
Spicy
Slightly scandalous; risqué
A spicy Hollywood romance.
Spice
Any of various pungent, aromatic plant substances, such as cinnamon or nutmeg, used to flavor foods or beverages.
Spicy
Of, pertaining to, or containing spice.
He prepared a spicy casserole.
Spice
These substances considered as a group.
Spicy
(of flavors) Provoking a burning sensation due to the presence of chilis or similar hot spices
This curry is too spicy for me. I can't eat it.
Spice
Something that adds zest or interest
The controversy added spice to the political campaign.
Spicy
(of flavors or odors) Tangy, zesty, or pungent.
She breathed in the strong, spicy aroma.
Spice
A pungent aroma.
Spicy
(of expression or behavior) Vigorous; colorful; stimulating.
He is known for his spicy political commentary.
Spice
To season with spices.
Spicy
Flavored with, or containing, spice or spices; fragrant; aromatic; as, spicy breezes.
Led by new stars, and borne by spicy gales.
Spice
To add zest or interest to
Uses witty rhymes to spice up the song.
Spicy
Producing, or abounding with, spices.
In hot Ceylon spicy forests grew.
Spice
Aromatic or pungent plant matter (usually dried) used to season or flavour food.
Spicy
Fig.: Piquant; racy; as, a spicy debate.
Spice
(uncountable) The quality of being spicy.
What spice level do you want for your pad thai? I recommend mild.
Spicy
Having an agreeably pungent taste
Spice
Appeal, interest; an attribute that makes something appealing, interesting, or engaging.
Variety is the spice of life
Spicy
Having a piquant burning taste of spices or peppers;
Gingery Chinese food
Hot peppers
Hot curry
Corn chips with peppery salsa
Spicy tomato sauce
Spice
(uncountable) A synthetic cannabinoid drug.
Spice
Sweets, candy.
Spice
(obsolete) Species; kind.
Spice
A characteristic touch or taste; smack; flavour.
Spice
An aromatic odour.
Spice
(transitive) To add spice or spices to; season.
Spice
(transitive) To spice up.
Spice
Species; kind.
The spices of penance ben three.
Abstain you from all evil spice.
Justice, although it be but one entire virtue, yet is described in two kinds of spices. The one is named justice distributive, the other is called commutative.
Spice
A vegetable production of many kinds, fragrant or aromatic and pungent to the taste, as pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, allspice, ginger, cloves, etc., which are used in cookery and to flavor sauces, pickles, etc.
Hast thou aught in thy purse [bag] any hot spices?
Spice
Figuratively, that which enriches or alters the quality of a thing in a small degree, as spice alters the taste of food; that which gives zest or pungency; a slight flavoring; a relish; hence, a small quantity or admixture; a sprinkling; as, a spice of mischief.
So much of the will, with a spice of the willful.
Spice
To season with spice, or as with spice; to mix aromatic or pungent substances with; to flavor; to season; as, to spice wine; to spice one's words with wit.
She 'll receive thee, but will spice thy breadWith flowery poisons.
Spice
To fill or impregnate with the odor of spices.
In the spiced Indian air, by night.
Spice
To render nice or dainty; hence, to render scrupulous.
Spice
Aromatic substances of vegetable origin used as a preservative
Spice
Any of a variety of pungent aromatic vegetable substances used for flavoring food
Spice
The property of being seasoned with spice and so highly flavored
Spice
Make more interesting or flavorful;
Spice up the evening by inviting a belly dancer
Spice
Add herbs or spices to
Common Curiosities
Are all spices hot in flavor?
No, spices vary in flavor; some are hot, while others are aromatic or sweet.
Can non-spicy food contain spices?
Yes, many spices add flavor without heat, like cinnamon or vanilla.
Is spicy food always strongly flavored?
Mostly, but 'spicy' can also refer to the presence of spices, not just heat.
Can spices be used in drinks?
Yes, spices like cinnamon and nutmeg are often used in beverages.
What is a spice?
A spice is a substance derived from plants used to add flavor or color to food.
Are spices healthy?
Many spices have health benefits and medicinal properties.
Can people be allergic to spicy food?
Yes, some individuals may be allergic or intolerant to certain spices.
Do spicy foods affect metabolism?
Yes, some studies suggest spicy foods can temporarily boost metabolism.
How does one use spices in cooking?
Spices are added to dishes for flavor, aroma, and color enhancement.
How do you reduce spiciness in a dish?
Adding dairy products, sugar, or starches can help temper spiciness.
What does spicy mean?
Spicy refers to food that has a strong, often hot, flavor from spices.
Is there a cultural significance to spices?
Yes, spices play an important role in many cultural cuisines and traditions.
What makes a dish spicy?
Ingredients like chili peppers, which contain capsaicin, make a dish spicy.
Are all spicy foods hot?
Primarily, but the term can also refer to the richness of flavors.
Can spice be used in non-food contexts?
Metaphorically, yes, to describe something exciting or varied.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
