peppermint

noun

pep·​per·​mint ˈpe-pər-ˌmint 

-mənt,

 in rapid speech  ˈpep-mənt,

 or  -ᵊm-ənt

1

a

: a pungent and aromatic mint (Mentha piperita) with dark green lanceolate leaves and whorls of small pink flowers in spikes

b

: any of several mints (such as M. arvensis) that are related to the peppermint

2

: candy flavored with peppermint

pepperminty

ˈpe-pər-ˌmin-tē 

adjective

Illustration of peppermint

• peppermint 1a

Examples of peppermint in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But peppermint oil may irritate the skin if applied directly. —Health, 4 July 2025

The original formula blends beeswax, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, and peppermint oil. —Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 24 June 2025

Made from menthol, eucalyptus, peppermint and lavender, these steamers are designed to sooth your nasal passages as well as the rest of your body. —Christopher Murray, FOXNews.com, 25 Mar. 2025

Studies do show that citronella, geranium, peppermint and other fragrant plants can indeed help deter mosquitoes, but the bottom line is that just having those scents around probably won't stop the pesky insects from biting you. —Arkansas Online, 8 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for peppermint

• fingerprint
• overprint
• blueprint
• footprint
• imprint
• misprint
• newsprint
• nonprint
• preprint
• reprint
• clint
• dint

Kids Definition

peppermint

noun

pep·​per·​mint ˈpep-ər-ˌmint 

-mənt

1

: a mint with stalks of small usually pink flowers that is the source of an oil which is sharp in flavor and is used especially to flavor candies

2

: candy flavored with peppermint

Medical Definition

peppermint

noun

pep·​per·​mint -ˌmint, -mənt 

: a mint of the genus Mentha (M. piperita) with dark green leaves and spikes of small pink flowers from which an aromatic oil is obtained

pepperminty

ˈpep-ər-ˌmint-ē 

adjective