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Synonyms

appetizing

American  
[ap-i-tahy-zing] / ˈæp ɪˌtaɪ zɪŋ /

adjective

  1. appealing to or stimulating the appetite; savory.

  2. appealing; tempting.


appetizing British  
/ ˈæpɪˌtaɪzɪŋ /

adjective

  1. pleasing or stimulating to the appetite; delicious; tasty

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

See palatable.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of appetizing

First recorded in 1645–55; appet(ite) + -ize + -ing 2, as translation of French appétissant

Explanation

Something that's appetizing looks or smells like it would taste delicious. An appetizing plate of cheesy nachos might make your mouth water. Use the adjective appetizing when you talk about food that's tempting or makes you hungry. The smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies is appetizing, and so is the summertime aroma of your neighbor's grill. Appetizing comes from the noun appetite, or "craving for food," from the Old French apetit, "appetite or desire." The Latin root is appetere, "long for, strive for, or grasp at."

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