peppery

[ pep-uh-ree ]

adjective

1. full of or tasting like pepper; hot; pungent.

   Synonyms: spicy

2. of, relating to, or resembling pepper.
3. sharp or stinging:

   a peppery speech.

   Synonyms: biting

4. easily angered; bad-tempered; irritable; irascible:

   the peppery leader of a political faction.

   Synonyms: choleric, testy, hot-tempered

peppery

/ ˈpɛpərɪ /

adjective

1. flavoured with or tasting of pepper
2. quick-tempered; irritable
3. full of bite and sharpness

   a peppery speech

Derived Forms

• ˈpepperiness, noun

Other Words From

• pepper·i·ly adverb
• pepper·i·ness noun
• un·pepper·y adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of peppery¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; pepper + -y ¹

Example Sentences

A squeeze of fresh lemon along with fresh, peppery extra virgin olive oil, shaved purple onion, and a sprinkling of cayenne pepper take it all up a level.

From Salon

On a warm day in May, the island smelled the way it always had: a bracing scent of salt brine and peppery bayberry from the protected moors that cover most of its surface.

From New York Times

Intimate, partly improvised conversations affirm the group’s rough affections and peppery personalities.

From New York Times

Among four kinds of noodles, the classic pancit canton looks exceptionally pretty, like large-scale confetti with peppery purple radish rounds, strips of long bean and julienned carrot, strewn with delicate cilantro sprouts.

From Seattle Times

This high-octane peppery sauce comes in a package shaped like a coffin and adorned with colors suitable to Día de los Muertos.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• piquant
• pungent
• spicy
• zesty