What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
zestiness
Example
The lemon zest added a delightful zestiness to the pasta dish. [zestiness: noun]
Example
The salsa had a nice zestiness to it, thanks to the fresh cilantro and lime juice. [zestiness: adjective]
spiciness
Example
The curry had a nice spiciness to it, but not too much to overpower the other flavors. [spiciness: noun]
Example
I love the spiciness of jalapenos in my nachos. [spiciness: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spiciness is more commonly used than zestiness in everyday language, as it is a more versatile term that can be used to describe a wide range of flavors and dishes.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between zestiness and spiciness?
Both zestiness and spiciness are informal terms that are commonly used in casual conversation and everyday language.