Skip to main content
peppery kick

peppery kick

4.9
A strong spicy taste like black pepper that feels sharp in the mouth
  • noun
translation icon : toque picante
  • The salsa had a peppery kick that lingered pleasantly on my tongue.

Examples

  • This cheese offers a mild flavor at first, followed by a sudden peppery kick.

  • She added extra radishes to give the salad a peppery kick.

  • This dish has a delightful peppery kick!

  • The sauce adds a peppery kick to the meal.

  • The salsa had a peppery kick that lingered pleasantly on my tongue.

  • She added extra radishes to give the salad a peppery kick.

  • This cheese offers a mild flavor at first, followed by a sudden peppery kick.

Synonyms

kick
vspeppery kick
98 4.6

A sudden feeling of energy or excitement

is specifically a strong spicy sensation that also feels noticeable and stimulating
smack
vspeppery kick
3 7.5

A small strong taste often from a spice

is more about an overall sharp spicy stimulation than a single seasoning note
spiciness
vspeppery kick
2 2.3

A strong hot taste that makes your mouth tingle

focuses on a strong, stimulating spicy sensation rather than general seasoning
burst of flavor
vspeppery kick
1 3.4

A sudden strong taste in food or drink

is a spicy, noticeable stimulation rather than just any sudden intense taste
extra kick
vspeppery kick
  • Informal
1 3.5

A small spicy taste or sudden energy that makes something more exciting

refers to a primary strong spicy sensation rather than an added extra element
pepperiness
vspeppery kick
7.0

A sharp, spicy taste like pepper that stings the tongue

is more intense and noticeably stimulating than that sharp spicy taste
hotness
vspeppery kick
2.3

How strong the spicy taste of food is

emphasizes noticeable stimulation and spicy character, not just heat level
spicy twist
vspeppery kick
3.9

A small unexpected hot flavor added to a dish

is a strong, stimulating spicy sensation rather than a surprising addition

Antonyms

1 4.1

A lack of strong taste in food

How Peppery

peppery kick
4.9
peppery
5 3.9

Surface Forms

peppery kick singular
peppery kicks plural

Morphology

peppery + kick

The meaning is directly and transparently derived from combining 'peppery' (having the taste or aroma of pepper) with 'kick' (a sudden strong sensory effect), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer a sharp spicy sensation. This adjective+noun composition follows common descriptive patterns and is readily interpretable without prior exposure.

Etymology

The phrase peppery kick comes from the image that peppery means spicy and a kick is a quick, sharp hit to the mouth. That's why it is used to mean 'a strong, spicy flavor or sensation'.