nosh

[ nosh ]

verb (used without object)

1. to snack or eat between meals.

verb (used with object)

1. to snack on:

   They noshed peanuts and cookies while watching television.

noun

1. a snack.

nosh

/ nɒʃ /

noun

1. food or a meal

verb

1. to eat

Derived Forms

• ˈnosher, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nosh¹

1955–60; < Yiddish nashn; Middle High German naschen, Old High German nascōn to nibble, gnaw; cognate with Danish naske, Swedish snaska

Word History and Origins

Origin of nosh¹

C20: from Yiddish; compare German naschen to nibble

Example Sentences

Stuff an omelet with gooey brie and seasonal figs for a sensational morning nosh.

From Washington Post

In San Francisco, city officials are considering making vaccination cards a requirement for having a nosh and a sip.

From Washington Post

With each bite, tens of trillions of gut microbes nosh with you.

From The Daily Beast

Post-ceremony, the guests will nosh on a gluten-free vegan cake.

From The Daily Beast

For multiple grumbling stomachs, here are five ways to nosh that will suit every type of holiday snacker.

From The Daily Beast

There is an endless number of dishes that I can start with sofrito, olives will enhance it, or stand on their own as a nosh.

From The Daily Beast

More About Nosh

What does nosh mean?

Nosh means to eat, especially by snacking, as in When I work from home it’s hard not to nosh all day. 

It also means to munch on or snack on something, as in I’m getting a little hungry, so I’m just going to nosh on crackers to tide me over until dinner. 

It can also be a noun meaning a snack, as in Let’s have a little nosh before the movie.

Where does nosh come from?

The first records of nosh come from the 1950s. It comes from the Yiddish nashn, meaning “to nibble or gnaw,” and it was originally spelled nash, with records of that spelling dating back to the 1800s. Related terms include the Danish naske and the Swedish snaska (which sounds a lot like snack but is probably not related—snack comes from a word meaning “to snap” or “to bite”).

Nosh usually refers to eating between meals. It is very closely synonymous with the more common word snack in both its verb and noun senses. Noshing is usually snacking—eating small bites, or munching or nibbling on snack foods. But it can also refer to eating in general, as in I love when everyone gathers to nosh and talk around the table. The informal nature of the word often carries a sense that the eating being done is pleasurable in a simple way. Nosh can also be used as a noun to refer to a quick, small meal. Have a nosh means the same thing as grab a quick bite.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to nosh?

• nosher (noun)
• noshable (adjective)

What are some synonyms for nosh?

• snack
• munch
• nibble
• bite
• graze

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

 

• food
• eat
• hungry
• meal
• quick
• small
• portion

How is nosh used in real life?

Nosh is informal and fun to say, so it’s most likely to be heard in informal or humorous contexts.

When I'm out and about, I barely notice when it's lunchtime. When I'm home, I actually feel hungry and end up noshing all day.

— Karen Wise (@wisekaren) March 16, 2009

5. If you wanna start noshing on a block of cheese in the middle of the day ain’t nobody around to judge you 🧀

— Harps (@charper88) March 24, 2020

I decided to have a quick nosh before dinner, then without even noticing I'd eaten a whole box of cheese Ritz and a tub of French onion dip.

— Kim (@RealJiveTurkey) March 1, 2011

 

 

Try using nosh!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of nosh?

A. snack
B. quick bite
C. graze
D. banquet