victuals

British  

/ ˈvɪtəlz /

plural noun

1. (sometimes singular) food or provisions

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Explanation

Victuals are anything that can be used as food. Even that plate of mystery meat that the lunch lady just gave you could be considered victuals. You won't hear many people these days talking about packing their fridge with victuals. Actually pronounced "vittles," it's an old fashioned word for food that sounds like it belongs in a black and white western movie. And it certainly has some dusty roots — word nerds can trace victuals all the way back to the Latin words for "nourishment," "livelihood" and "sustenance."

Example Sentences

So ubiquitous are highly processed, highly palatable victuals for children that microwaves are now fitted with special settings to heat them up.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

When it’s in the hands of cinematic chef and film critic Justin Chang, the visual victuals can be sumptuous.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2022

Now, home cooks follow restaurant chefs, hoping to glean the secrets of serving exceptional victuals.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 26, 2022

“It tastes like chewing on a urine-infested mattress,” said Samuel West, who, as curator of the Disgusting Food Museum, knows a thing or two about unpleasant victuals.

From Reuters • Nov. 2, 2018

“But he does have coin? Upon his person? Because I cannot pay for so much as victuals now, the salt-meat is become so dear. We are starving. No person will extend us credit.”

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson