cayenne
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: //kaɪˈɛn//
KK: /kæˈjɛn/
adjective
Definition
Relating to a type of pepper that is often used to add heat and flavor to food, or to the city of Cayenne in French Guiana.
Example
She added cayenne spice to the soup to make it more flavorful.
Conversation
Have you tried that new dish at the café?
Not yet, but I heard it has a nice cayenne kick to it.
Yeah, I love dishes with a bit of spice!
Same here! I should definitely order it next time.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
spicy
hot
peppery
Antonyms
mild
bland
tame
noun
Definition
A type of hot pepper that is often used in cooking to add spice and flavor to dishes.
Example
She added a pinch of cayenne to the soup to make it spicier.
Conversation
Have you ever tried cooking with cayenne pepper?
Yeah, it's great for adding some heat to dishes!
I just bought some and I'm excited to experiment.
Root Explanation
Cayenne originates from the French word 'cayenne', which is derived from the Tupi word 'kai-ena', meaning 'pepper'. The term refers specifically to a type of hot pepper, known for its spiciness.
Memory Tip
Think of the Tupi word 'kai-ena' meaning 'pepper' to remember that 'cayenne' refers to a type of hot pepper.
Visually Confused Words
cheyenne
calymene