Synonyms

mouth-watering

American

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

adjective

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

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