munchy

[ muhn-chee ]

adjective

, munch·i·er, munch·i·est.

1. (of food)
   1. crunchy or chewy.
   2. Informal. for snacking:

      munchy foods like popcorn and cookies.

noun

, plural munch·ies.

1. munchies, Informal. food suitable or meant for snacking:

   Munchies were served before dinner.

2. the munchies, Slang. hunger, especially a craving for sweets or snacks:

   suffering from the munchies.

Other Words From

• munchi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of munchy¹

1915–20; munch + -y ¹ or -y ²

More About Munchy

What does munchy mean?

Munchy describes food that is crunchy or chewy, as in Devin loves raw carrots and celery because they’re munchy and help him focus.

Informally, munchy is also used to describe foods that are eaten as a snack rather than a meal, such as popcorn or cookies. 

Example: They had some munchy food at the party but nothing substantial.

The related slang term the munchies refers to a persistent hunger or craving for foods, especially snacks or items considered junk foods.

Where does munchy come from?

The first records of the term munchy come from around the 1910s. It combines the verb munch, meaning “to chew or crunch,” and the suffix -y, which creates adjectives meaning “characterized by.” Munchy foods, therefore, are those that are characterized by being munched (or snacked) on.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to munchy?

• munchiness (noun)

What are some synonyms for munchy?

• chewy
• crunchy

What are some words that share a root or word element with munchy? 

• munch
• munchies 

What are some words that often get used in discussing munchy?

• snacks
• hungry
• potato chips
• popcorn

How is munchy used in real life?

Munchy is always used in the context of food, especially snack foods that crunch or are chewy. It’s not that commonly used. 

I had a dream of a store called the goods. It was filled with the best munchy foods in the world and I just ate the entire dream

— Sal (@lostinsaucesal) January 22, 2014

Crunchy, meet munchy. Munchy, meet crunchy. You, eat crunchy munchy Wheat Thins. #EatThis

— Wheat Thins (@WheatThins) February 10, 2015

The munchy monster called. He wants cookies. Lots and lots of cookies. #HappyHolidaze

— Schmackary's Cookies (@Schmackarys) April 20, 2015

Updated on February 27, 2023

Try using munchy!

Is munchy used correctly in the following sentence?

“The party starts after dinnertime, so I’m just going to serve some munchy snacks.”