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

Dacapo’s version smells like there’s a bouquet of roses somewhere in the room and a peppery pasta dish on the table.

From Washington Post

A generous sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley adds a peppery finish.

From Washington Post

At Bossier they only gave us a few shreds of chicken drowned in a dark peppery sauce.

From Washington Blade

Just hope you get the “fresh catch” hot, rather than tepid, which was the case when I first tried the peppery entree in the restaurant.

From Washington Post

Besides a trove of data showing that the rich really are getting much richer, the book is full of peppery Gallic asides.

From The Daily Beast

He ignored, too, his chairman of the Federal Reserve, Marriner Eccles, a small, peppery Mormon banker from Utah.

From The Daily Beast

Belgian ale like Chimay is rich with fruity and peppery notes and sometimes has a bitter aftertaste.

From The Daily Beast

As the major looked up, Black Hood stepped quickly forward so that his tall figure over-shadowed that of the peppery little major.

From Project Gutenberg

But he clearly saw that this peppery gentleman must be treated less cavalierly, or trouble would come of it.

From Project Gutenberg

It is very similar to common or Japan camphor, but has a somewhat peppery odour.

From Project Gutenberg

The weather was cold and the night dark, and there were peppery little showers of sleet.

From Project Gutenberg

"Pretty peppery, Major," he said, pointing to three bodies stretched upon the floor.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• piquant
• pungent
• spicy
• zesty