pepperoni
word
Definition
A spicy, cured Italian-American sausage made from pork and beef, commonly used as a pizza topping. Characterized by its bright red colour and slightly smoky flavour.
Usage & Nuances
False friend alert: in Italian, 'peperoni' means bell peppers, not the sausage! Pepperoni is actually an American invention, not truly Italian. It's the most popular pizza topping in the United States. Usually sliced thin and curls up when baked. 'Pepperoni pizza' is the most common usage.
Example Sentences
I'll have a large pepperoni pizza, please.
basic
Do you want extra pepperoni on your slice?
basic
Pepperoni is the most popular pizza topping in America.
basic
Fun fact: if you order pepperoni on a pizza in Italy, you'll get bell peppers instead.
natural
The pepperoni cups up perfectly when you bake it at a high temperature, creating little grease pools.
natural
We ordered two pepperoni and one veggie to make sure everyone was happy.
natural