peppered
|pep-pered|
🇺🇸
/ˈpɛpərd/
🇬🇧
/ˈpɛpəd/
(pepper)
spicy seasoning
Etymology
'pepper' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'piper', where the root ultimately comes from Greek 'peperi' (πῐπέρι) and Sanskrit 'pippalī' meaning 'long pepper' or 'pepper'.
'pepper' changed from Old English 'pipor' (from Latin 'piper'), through Middle English 'peper', and eventually became the modern English word 'pepper'.
Initially, it referred specifically to the spice (the pepper plant and its fruit); over time it also developed the verb sense 'to sprinkle with pepper or small particles' and various figurative senses such as 'to riddle or bombard'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle form of 'pepper'.
She peppered the salad before serving it.
Verb 2
to strike or hit repeatedly with small objects or projectiles (often used in passive or with 'with'): e.g., 'The car was peppered with bullets.'
The vehicle was peppered with bullets during the attack.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Verb 3
to bombard someone with a rapid succession of things (questions, comments, etc.): e.g., 'He was peppered with questions.'
The politician was peppered with questions after the speech.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2026/01/12 12:05