salt-and-pepper

adjective

salt-and-pep·​per ˈsȯlt-ən(d)-ˈpe-pər 

: 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

Whether your particular version of gray hair is bright white, a steely salt-and-pepper, or somewhere stunningly in-between, certain cuts bring out the dimension of your shade and the best of your texture. — Marci Robin, Allure, 17 July 2026

Classic Marshall Style The Acton IV and Stanmore IV speakers each have the classic Marshall analog look, including the brand’s signature PU leather wrapping, iconic salt-and-pepper fret and amp-inspired controls. — Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Fresh-faced and energetic, with salt-and-pepper curls falling over the shoulders of her moss-green sweater and gold jewelry punctuating her gestures, Brock Akil is youthful in a way that defies Hollywood’s ever-more-plasticky imitation of youth. — Judy Berman, Time, 29 June 2026

McGinty said many of the styles now gaining broader visibility — salt-and-pepper diamonds, hexagon and kite-cut stones, Montana sapphires and heavier gold settings — were already in demand with her clients years before appearing in larger retail assortments. — Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for salt-and-pepper

• leper
• lepper
• pepper
• stepper

Kids Definition

salt-and-pepper

adjective

: having dark and light color intermingled in small flecks

a salt-and-pepper beard