red pepper

American  

noun

red peppers plural

1. cayenne.

2. a pepper, Capsicum annuum longum, cultivated in many varieties, the yellow or red pods of which are used for flavoring, sauces, etc.

3. the mild, ripe fruit of the sweet pepper, Capsicum annuum grossum, used as a vegetable.

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red pepper British  

noun

1. any of several varieties of the pepper plant Capsicum frutescens , cultivated for their hot pungent red podlike fruits

2. the fruit of any of these plants

3. the ripe red fruit of the sweet pepper

4. another name for cayenne pepper

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• red peppers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of red pepper

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

From there, I add red pepper flakes, dried oregano, garlic powder and whatever leafy herbs need using up.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026

Combine with the olive oil, oregano, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, herbs and lemon zest.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026

You can also use an Italian seasoning blend, which incorporates dried basil, dried oregano, dried rosemary, dried thyme leaves, dried parsley, garlic powder and red pepper flakes.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026

Or a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want a little spark.

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026

I smell hot red pepper flakes, but the other smells are sharp and sweet, unlike anything I’ve ever smelled before.

From "Towers Falling" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Related Words

• chili pepper
• hot pepper
• jalapeno