peppery

American  

[pep-uh-ree] / ˈpɛp ə ri /

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

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peppery British  

/ ˈpɛpərɪ /

adjective

1. flavoured with or tasting of pepper

2. quick-tempered; irritable

3. full of bite and sharpness

   a peppery speech

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Other Word Forms

• pepperily adverb
• pepperiness noun
• unpeppery adjective

Etymology

Origin of peppery

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

Example Sentences

It’s a salad that can sit in the fridge for days without losing its snap, yet it’s never inert: a forkful zings, a little sweet, a little tart, a little green, a little peppery.

From Salon

Nocellara is stunning in a citrus olive-oil cake, especially for Chanukah or any winter citrus moment; Hojiblanca brings a peppery lift to big crunchy salads with just a squeeze of lemon.

From Salon

The herbs steeped, releasing their piney, slightly peppery fragrance, alongside a spoonful of chicken bouillon, which nudged the sauce firmly into savory territory.

From Salon

These peppery greens contain abundant fiber and bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides and antioxidants.

From Science Daily

It’s equally at home as a Tuesday night dinner for friends, especially with a sharp arugula salad on the side — peppery leaves glossed in a citrus vinaigrette that cuts through the butter and cheese.

From Salon

Related Words

• piquant
• pungent
• spicy
• zesty