ghost pepper

noun

variants or less commonly ghost chili
plural ghost peppers also ghost chilis
: a small, extremely hot chili pepper of southern Asia that is a hybrid between two species (Capsicum chinensis and Capsicum frutescens)
… the aforementioned potstickers come with a lethal house-made sauce of habaneros and ghost peppers (I managed one tiny spoonful before my tongue went numb).—Phil Vettel
Ghost pepper, a name for the bhut jolokia grown mainly in northeast India, is so powerful that the Indian military announced earlier this year that it was going to "weaponize" the peppers for hand grenades.—Florence Fabricant

called also bhut jolokia

Examples of ghost pepper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It's packed with the heat of a mix of poblano, scotch bonnet, and jalapeño peppers, plus Chipotle extract and ghost pepper powder. — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Dec. 2025 Peppers Mild peppers like bell peppers mature faster than hot peppers, such as ghost peppers, but the seed-starting process is the same for all peppers. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2026 But the ghost pepper sauce (people use it on pizza and barbecue) is a whole lot livelier, hitting both of us in the back of our throats, and in my case, turning on the mucus train. — Kansas City Star, 18 Nov. 2025 The Ghost Pepper rub brings fiery Louisiana spices with ghost pepper heat, while Lemon Pepper offers a zesty, citrusy twist. — Moná Thomas, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ghost pepper

Word History

Etymology

translation of a presumed Assamese compound noun bhüt-zolokiya

Note: See etymology and note at bhut jolokia.

First Known Use

2008, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ghost pepper was in 2008

Rhymes for ghost pepper

See All Rhymes for ghost pepper

Browse Nearby Words

ghostology
ghost pepper
ghost plant
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ghost pepper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ghost%20pepper. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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