# pepperoni

/ˌpɛpɝˈoʊni/ (US) · /pˌɛpəɹˈəʊni/ (UK) · CEFR A2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pepperoni
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

a spicy Italian-style sausage made from pork and beef. You usually see it sliced into thin circles as a popular topping for pizza.

For teachers: a spicy, dry-cured sausage of Italian-American origin, typically seasoned with paprika and chili pepper. Often used as a pizza topping or in sandwiches.

## Examples

- I would like a large pizza with extra pepperoni.
- The chef carefully arranged thin slices of pepperoni across the dough before sliding the pizza into the wood-fired oven.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the meat in general; countable when referring to individual slices or specific varieties.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.