WordGarden.iopeppery
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈɛpəri/
US
- /ˈpɛpəri/adjective
Meanings
Adjective
having a noticeable taste or aroma of pepper; sharp and spicy
lively, sharp, or piquant in style, tone, or manner
quick-tempered or easily irritated
Beyond the definition
Think of freshly ground black pepper and the sharp bite it adds. "Peppery" most often describes a taste or smell that feels like pepper: warm, sharp, and a little biting.
It can also describe a person who is lively, sharp, and a little quick to argue or get annoyed. A peppery old man, for example, might speak very directly and react fast when bothered.
The word "peppery" first describes something that tastes or smells like pepper. In food, that usually means a sharp, spicy, slightly hot quality, often like black pepper. You might say a soup, sauce, or salad leaves had a peppery taste if they give that dry, biting kick.
From there, the word also came to describe people. A peppery person is often lively, outspoken, and easy to irritate. They may have energy and spirit, but there is usually a sense of sharpness too. In stories, a peppery character often speaks bluntly, answers quickly, and does not put up with much.
Sometimes the word is used more loosely for anything that has that same kind of bite or snap, such as a peppery smell or a peppery remark. Even then, the basic idea stays the same: something sharp, lively, and a little biting, either in flavor, smell, or manner.
Examples
- 1
Soup flavor
The soup had a warm, peppery taste.
- 2
Salad greens
Arugula adds a fresh, peppery bite to a salad.
- 3
Cheese flavor
The cheese is creamy at first, then turns slightly peppery.
- 4
Annoyed replies
His peppery replies made the meeting feel tense.
- Phrasepeppery replies
sharp or easily annoyed answers
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Writing style
The article was written in a peppery, confident style.
- Phrasepeppery style
lively and a little sharp
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- pepperyadjective