hot pepper
B1Informal, Culinary
Definition
Meaning
A fruit of various plants from the genus Capsicum, known for its pungent, spicy heat due to the chemical compound capsaicin.
Any pepper or cultivar (e.g., chili, jalapeño, habanero, cayenne) distinguished by significant pungency. Can metaphorically describe a person or situation with intense, fiery energy or temper.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is often used interchangeably with 'chili pepper'. It emphasizes the quality of heat/spiciness over the specific botanical variety.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'chilli' (double 'l') is more common for the general category. In American English, 'hot pepper' and 'chili pepper' are both common, with 'hot pepper' being a more descriptive, layperson's term.
Connotations
Both carry the same primary culinary connotation. 'Hot pepper' can sound slightly more colloquial.
Frequency
More frequent in AmE. In BrE, 'chilli' dominates, but 'hot pepper' is perfectly understood.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Verb] + hot pepper: grow, chop, add, roast, removehot pepper + [Verb]: burns, adds, scatters[Adjective] + hot pepper: red, green, dried, minced, fieryVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(as) hot as a pepper”
- “a real hot pepper (for a feisty person)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. May appear in food import/export, agricultural commodities, or restaurant supply contexts.
Academic
Used in botany, food science, and culinary arts papers, often alongside the botanical name 'Capsicum'.
Everyday
Very common in cooking instructions, gardening talk, restaurant menus, and casual conversation about food.
Technical
Used in horticulture and food chemistry; specificity increases (e.g., 'Capsicum chinense cultivar').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The chef will hot-pepper the stew for an extra kick. (rare, informal)
American English
- She decided to hot-pepper the chili with some habaneros. (rare, informal)
adjective
British English
- He's known for his hot-pepper salsa.
American English
- We're having a hot-pepper eating contest.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I do not like hot pepper.
- This sauce has hot pepper in it.
- Be careful when you cut the hot pepper.
- I added a little hot pepper to the soup for flavour.
- The recipe calls for one finely chopped hot pepper, but you can adjust the heat to your liking.
- Growing hot peppers requires plenty of sun and warm soil.
- The subtle sweetness of the mango perfectly offset the ferocious heat of the Scotch Bonnet hot pepper.
- His rhetoric was as unpredictable and searing as a random bite into a ghost pepper.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HOT PEPPER: The word 'HOT' is right there in the name, reminding you it's the spicy one, not the mild bell pepper.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEAT IS SPICINESS / INTENSITY IS HEAT (e.g., 'a hot pepper of a debate').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'горячий перец' (which implies thermally hot black pepper). The correct conceptual equivalent is 'острый перец' (ostryy perets).
- Avoid confusing with 'черный перец' (black pepper), which is not a 'hot pepper' in the English sense.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'hot pepper' to refer to black pepper that is physically warm. Confusing 'hot pepper' with 'pepperoni' (a sausage).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary chemical responsible for the heat in a hot pepper?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in common usage they are synonymous. 'Hot pepper' is a descriptive term, while 'chili pepper' is the more standard name for the fruit.
The term 'hot pepper' implies perceptible heat. The mildest cultivars are often paprika peppers or certain types of 'Anaheim' peppers, but they still contain capsaicin.
Wear gloves when cutting, avoid touching your eyes or face, and wash hands thoroughly with soap afterwards. Removing the seeds and white pith reduces heat.
Yes, informally. Calling someone a 'hot pepper' suggests they are lively, feisty, temperamental, or passionate.
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