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Synonyms

mouth-watering

American  
[mouth-waw-ter-ing, -wot-er-] / ˈmaʊθˌwɔ tər ɪŋ, -ˌwɒt ər- /

adjective

  1. very appetizing in appearance, aroma, or description.

    a mouth-watering dessert.


Etymology

Origin of mouth-watering

First recorded in 1815–25

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’s also a mouth-watering 100-ounce American wagyu skirt steak served with shishito peppers, pickles and charred carrots.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

A mouth-watering quarter-finals line-up begins on Friday when Senegal face Mali and Cameroon tackle hosts Morocco.

From Barron's • Jan. 6, 2026

If his stellar form carries over into a mouth-watering match against Bath - Henry Arundell, Joe Cokanasiga and the rest at the Rec on 27 December - he will edge further into contention.

From BBC • Dec. 22, 2025

With those things in mind, Capote carefully describes each mouth-watering delicacy as if filling a stage set.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

On the plates, Ivy saw slices of ham and melted cheese between slices of thick multi-grain bread, mouth-watering kettle-cooked potato chips on the side.

From "Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World" by Ashley Herring Blake