Appetizing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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appetizing

[หˆรฆpษชหŒtaษชzษชล‹ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

description of food

Having the quality of making one feel hungry or eager to eat; delicious; savory.

Synonyms

delicious, mouth-watering, tasty, tempting.

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Word Description / Examples
appetizing

Used to describe food that looks or smells very good and makes you want to eat it.

  • The chef prepared an appetizing meal.
  • The aroma from the kitchen was so appetizing that everyone wanted to have a bite.
delicious

Used when talking about food that tastes very good.

  • Grandma's apple pie is absolutely delicious.
  • This chocolate cake is delicious!
tasty

Used to describe food that has a pleasant flavor.

  • She made a very tasty soup for dinner.
  • The snacks were both healthy and tasty.
mouth-watering

Describes food that looks or smells so good that it makes you want to eat it immediately.

  • The bakery's display of pastries was mouth-watering.
  • The sight of the food was so mouth-watering that I couldn't wait to dig in.
tempting

Describes food that looks very good and makes you want to eat it, often used when trying to resist the appeal of the food.

  • The desserts were so tempting, but I was trying to stick to my diet.
  • The smell of freshly baked bread was extremely tempting.

Examples of usage

  • The appetizing aroma of freshly baked bread filled the room.
  • She prepared an appetizing meal with a variety of flavors.
  • The appetizing display of desserts tempted everyone at the party.
  • The restaurant's menu featured many appetizing options.
  • I find the smell of grilled meat very appetizing.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Culinary Arts

  • Presentation plays a big role in making food appetizing; colors, shapes, and garnishes enhance desire.
  • Smells of spices and herbs are scientifically proven to increase the appetite and make dishes more desirable.
  • Dishes served on contrasting colored plates can appear more appetizing due to visual appeal.

Psychology

  • Research shows that appetite is closely linked to our emotions; comfort food is often the most appetizing when we're feeling down.
  • The sight of food can trigger the brain's reward systems, which releases dopamine making it feel rewarding to eat.
  • Descriptive language in menus (e.g., 'succulent', 'crispy', 'fresh') can create an appetizing mental image that encourages ordering.

Pop Culture

  • Food shows often highlight how the art of plating can make a dish from simple to gourmet, making it more appetizing.
  • Many cultures celebrate festivals around foods that are considered especially appetizing, like Thanksgiving in the USA or Diwali sweets in India.
  • Social media, especially platforms like Instagram, has made 'food photography' an art form dedicated to showcasing appetizing meals.

Nutrition

  • Healthy foods can be made more appetizing by adding colorful vegetables and herbs for visual appeal.
  • Certain textures, like creaminess or crunchiness, contribute to the perception of a food being appetizing.
  • Research shows that well-presented healthy food increases the intake of nutritious meals, particularly among children.

Origin of 'appetizing'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'appetitus', which means desire or longing.
  • In English, it became popular in the 18th century to describe food that stirs up your craving.
  • The adjective form is derived from โ€˜appetiteโ€™, which is a natural desire to eat.

The word 'appetizing' originated from the verb 'appetize', meaning 'to stimulate the appetite'. It first appeared in the 17th century in English literature. Over time, 'appetizing' evolved to describe food that is appealing and flavorful, making it an essential term in culinary contexts.


Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,076, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.