salt-and-pepper

adjective

salt-and-pep·​per ˈsȯlt-ən(d)-ˈpe-pər How to pronounce salt-and-pepper (audio)
: having black-and-white or dark and light color intermingled in small flecks
a salt-and-pepper suit
a salt-and-pepper beard

Examples of salt-and-pepper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
DeGeneres, who has been sporadically seen with salt-and-pepper hair, was photographed with her signature pixie cut a smidge longer. Charna Flam, People.com, 31 July 2025 Bana is gruffly effective, conveying square-jawed authority and salt-and-pepper maturity without pushing Turner too far into the kind of emotional torment that could make Untamed into a character study rather than a whodunit. Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2025 His mother, Tammy Martin, stood off to the side, smoking a cigarette, her salt-and-pepper hair in a ponytail, as her son recounted his decisions from a decade ago. Stephanie Kuzydym, The Courier-Journal, 6 July 2025 The larger-than-life salt-and-pepper locks channeling artist Kiki Smith suit her well and are a great fit for her character’s vibes, though the wig is nowhere near her best. Jihane Bousfiha, Vulture, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for salt-and-pepper

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of salt-and-pepper was in 1835

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Salt-and-pepper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salt-and-pepper. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

salt-and-pepper

adjective
: having dark and light color intermingled in small flecks
a salt-and-pepper beard
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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