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pepper

noun (1)
pep·​per | \ ˈpe-pÉ™r How to pronounce pepper (audio) \

Definition of pepper

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1a : either of two pungent products from the fruit of an Indian plant (Piper nigrum) that are used chiefly as condiments:
(1) : black pepper
(2) : white pepper
b : any of several products similar to pepper that are obtained from plants of the same genus cubeb pepper
c : any of various pungent condiments of plants unrelated to the pepper Szechuan pepper
2 : any of a genus (Piper of the family Piperaceae, the pepper family) of tropical mostly jointed climbing shrubs with aromatic leaves especially : a woody vine (P. nigrum) with spicate flowers that is widely cultivated in the tropics for its red berries from which black pepper and white pepper are prepared
3a : capsicum sense 1 especially : one (Capsicum annuum) whose fruits are hot peppers or sweet peppers
b : the hollow fruit of a pepper that is usually green when unripe and red or yellow when ripe

pepper

verb
peppered; peppering\ ˈpe-​p(É™-​)riÅ‹ How to pronounce peppering (audio) \

Definition of pepper (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : to sprinkle or season with pepper
b : to shower with or as if with shot or other missiles
2 : to hit with or as if with rapid repeated blows
3 : to sprinkle or cover as if with pepper peppered the report with statistics a face peppered with freckles

pepper

noun (2)

Definition of pepper (Entry 3 of 3)

: a baseball practice or warm-up game in which usually several fielders toss the ball a short distance to a single batter who hits it back
Other Words from pepper Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about pepper

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Other Words from pepper

Noun (1)

pepper adjective

Verb

pepperer \ ˈpe-​pÉ™r-​É™r How to pronounce pepperer (audio) \ noun

Synonyms for pepper

Synonyms: Verb

bestrew, dot, scatter, sow, spot, spray, sprinkle, strew

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Examples of pepper in a Sentence

Verb

 You need to pepper the stew more. pepper the costume with flecks of glitter

First Known Use of pepper

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1943, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for pepper

Noun (1)

Middle English peper, from Old English pipor, from Latin piper, from Greek peperi

Noun (2)

probably from pep entry 2 + -er entry 2

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More Definitions for pepper

pepper

verb

English Language Learners Definition of pepper

: to add pepper to (food)

See the full definition for pepper in the English Language Learners Dictionary

pepper

noun
pep·​per | \ ˈpe-pÉ™r How to pronounce pepper (audio) \

Kids Definition of pepper

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a black or white spice that has a sharp flavor and comes from the dried ground-up fruit of an Indian climbing shrub
2 : a usually green, red, or yellow vegetable that has a sharp or mildly sweet flavor and grows on a bushy garden plant

pepper

verb
peppered; peppering

Kids Definition of pepper (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to season with or as if with pepper
2 : to hit with or as if with a shower of blows or objects Hail peppered the hikers. Freckles peppered his face.

pepper

noun
pep·​per | \ ˈpep-É™r How to pronounce pepper (audio) \

Medical Definition of pepper

1a : a woody Indian vine of the genus Piper (P. nigrum

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