peppery

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.