Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of very hot chili pepper: Refers to a specific cultivar of the Capsicum frutescens pepper, characterized by its very spicy, red fruit that is often long and thin, though some varieties are very small.
   • A brand of spicy sauce: Refers to a trademarked, very spicy sauce made primarily from aged tabasco peppers, vinegar, and salt.
   • A geographical region: A state in southeastern Mexico, located on the Gulf of Campeche.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Pepper):

  • The recipe calls for two fresh tabasco peppers, finely chopped.
  • He grows tabasco in his garden for their intense heat.

• Noun (Sauce):

  • She added a few drops of Tabasco to her bloody mary.
  • This brand of hot sauce is much milder than authentic Tabasco.

• Noun (Place):

  • Villahermosa is the capital city of Tabasco.
  • The state of Tabasco is known for its rich biodiversity and oil reserves.

Advanced Usage

• As a modifier: The word is often used attributively to describe things related to the pepper, sauce, or region.
  • The dish had a distinct tabasco flavor. (Referring to the pepper's heat/profile)
  • He collects vintage Tabasco sauce bottles. (Referring to the brand)
  • Tabasco cuisine features many seafood dishes. (Referring to the Mexican state)

Variants and Related Words

• Tabasco sauce (n): The full name for the branded spicy sauce.
  • Tabasco sauce is a common condiment in many restaurants.
• Capsicum frutescens (n): The botanical species name for the tabasco pepper plant.

Synonyms

• Hot pepper / Chili pepper: General terms for spicy peppers (for the first meaning).
• Hot sauce: A general term for spicy condiments (for the second meaning).

Related Phrases

• "As hot as Tabasco": An idiom used to describe something extremely spicy or, metaphorically, a situation or temper that is very intense.
  • Be careful with those peppers; they're as hot as Tabasco.
  • Their argument was as hot as Tabasco.

Noun

1. very hot red peppers; usually long and thin; some very small
2. very spicy sauce (trade name Tabasco) made from fully-aged red peppers
3. a Mexican state on the Gulf of Campeche