Pronunciation

/pəˈpɛr/

Definitions

Noun

• A plant ( Piper nigrum): A flowering herb with long, slender stems and fruit that contains small, peppery seeds. Often used as a spice or condiment.
• Ground pepper: The dried, crushed seeds from the pepper plant, used to add flavor and heat to food.
• Peppercorn: One of the peppery seeds, usually black, white, or red.

Verb

• To season with pepper: To add ground pepper to food while cooking or eating.
• To pepper someone (with questions): To ask someone a series of questions rapidly.

Adjective

• Spicy: Referring to the pungent taste of pepper.
• Coarsely ground: Describing pepper that has not been finely crushed.

Adverb

• Pepperily: In a manner similar to pepper; with a peppery flavor.

Phrases

• “Add some pepper to your taste”: Suggesting to increase the seasoning with pepper.
• “Peppered steak”: A dish of cooked steak seasoned with pepper.
• “Black pepper tree”: Referring to the pepper plant.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “She ground some fresh pepper onto her salad dressing.”
• Verb: “He peppered the meat with spices before grilling it.”
• Adjective: “The dish had a spicy kick from the generous amount of red pepper flakes.”
• Adverb: “She seasoned the soup pepperily to enhance its flavor.”

Synonyms

• Cayenne
• Chili powder (for ground pepper)
• Paprika (for a type of sweet pepper)
• Hot sauce (for a spicy pepper flavor)
• Ground cloves (a similar spice)