Pepper: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'pepper' when specifically referring to either the spice made from ground peppercorns or the vegetable known as bell pepper or chili pepper.

• Can you pass the pepper, please?
• I love adding bell pepper to my salads.

Use 'spice' when referring to any dried seed, fruit, root, bark, or vegetable substance used to flavor food, or when talking about the broader category that includes various individual seasonings.

• Cinnamon is a spice often used in baking.
• Indian cuisine is known for its rich use of spices.

Use 'seasoning' when referring to a mixture of spices and herbs used to enhance the flavor of food.

• I like to use Italian seasoning in my pasta sauce.
• She sprinkled some seasoning on the chicken before roasting it.

Use 'condiment' when referring to a substance, such as salt, mustard, or ketchup, that adds flavor to food.

• Ketchup is my favorite condiment for fries.
• Please put the condiments on the table before we start eating.

Typically used in everyday conversation and cooking to refer to the common spice added to food for flavor. It can also describe vegetables like bell peppers or hot peppers.

• Can you pass the pepper, please?
• I love putting pepper on my eggs in the morning.

Used when referring to the unground form of pepper. It often appears in recipes or culinary contexts where the whole spice is used.

• Crush the peppercorns to release their flavor.
• This sauce calls for freshly ground peppercorns.

Although less common, it refers to the botanical genus Piper, which includes the plant species that produce peppercorns. It is usually seen in scientific or botanical contexts.

• Piper nigrum is the plant species that produces black pepper.
• Researchers study the growth conditions of Piper plants.

Use when describing adding a noticeable amount of small bits or particles, often in cooking or to indicate spreading something widely.

• She likes to pepper her salad with black pepper.
• The floor was peppered with confetti after the party.

Use when describing lightly scattering small particles or droplets, often in contexts like cooking or adding small amounts.

• He likes to sprinkle a bit of sugar on his cereal.
• Sprinkle some water on the plants.

Use when referring to small, isolated points or spots, often for describing patterns or marks.

• The sky was dotted with stars.
• She wore a dress dotted with tiny flowers.

Use when describing something that fully or partially places itself over another thing, often to protect or conceal it.

• You should cover the pot to let the stew simmer.
• The garden was covered with fallen leaves.