What does peperoni mean?
Peperoni is an alternative North American spelling of pepperoni, the cured, seasoned pork sausage that is especially familiar as a pizza topping. It has the same pronunciation and meaning as pepperoni, but it is less common in ordinary English and should generally be treated as a spelling variant rather than as a separate food. In sentences, peperoni is often used as a mass noun, as in a slice of peperoni or a pizza topped with peperoni. Individual pieces may also be counted, although the plural peperonis is much less frequent than the standard form pepperonis. The word can sensibly be used when a writer or speaker deliberately emphasizes the alternative spelling, but pepperoni is the safer choice in formal writing and most other contexts. Its familiar connection to pizza has made the spelling particularly recognizable despite its relative rarity in published usage.
nounAn alternative North American spelling of pepperoni, a cured, seasoned sausage made from pork and commonly topped on pizza.
- A cured, spiced pork sausage resembling salami, often used as a pizza topping.
"We ordered a pizza with peperoni, mushrooms, and extra cheese."
"The peperoni pizza arrived with a crisp crust and plenty of melted cheese."
"She sliced the peperoni and served it with crackers and mustard."
Usually used as a mass noun, especially in food expressions such as a slice of peperoni; peperonis is used when individual sausages are counted.
"The package contained six peperonis."
Next time you order a pizza, you can spell it both ways—but the dictionary editor will probably prefer the one with double p and double r.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does peperoni come from?
The English word is an alternative spelling of pepperoni. The form derives from Italian peperoni, the plural of peperone, which is related to pepe, meaning pepper. These forms ultimately trace to Latin piper, the source of the English word pepper.
How peperoni is actually used
Peperoni is a less common alternative spelling of pepperoni and is encountered chiefly in North American English. The standard spelling pepperoni is more common in both US and British usage. The word is normally used as a mass noun in expressions such as a slice of peperoni, though peperonis is possible when individual sausages are being counted.
Easily confused with peperoni
Peperoni is an alternative spelling of the more common word pepperoni, not a distinct kind of sausage.
In Italian, peperone is the singular form and can refer to a bell pepper, whereas the English peperoni ordinarily denotes a spiced, cured sausage.