appetizing

American

[ap-i-tahy-zing] / ˈæp ɪˌtaɪ zɪŋ /

adjective

appealing to or stimulating the appetite; savory.
appealing; tempting.

appetizing British

/ ˈæpɪˌtaɪzɪŋ /

adjective

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

Related Words

See palatable.

Other Word Forms

appetizingly adverb
unappetizing adjective
unappetizingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of appetizing

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There are many places in this city that real estate developers have found more appetizing.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

But investors looking for appetizing bargains in overseas markets should consider whether there are stocks at a discount in the U.S. as well.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

Those fitting the profile of a “Daily Diner,” someone who exclusively dines out, could be spending well over $5,000 a year, making those “let’s do lunch” invitations a lot less appetizing.

From Salon • Jan. 22, 2026

I love spending time on the couch and eating a meal and watching something that’s appetizing with my favorite person in the world.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2025

Even the paper boat began to seem appetizing, glistening in his mind with leftover condiment and grease.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023