starchy

American  

[stahr-chee] / ˈstɑr tʃi /

adjective

starchier, starchiest

1. of, relating to, or of the nature of starch.

2. containing starch.

3. stiffened with starch.

4. stiff and formal, as in manner.

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starchy British  

/ ˈstɑːtʃɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or containing starch

   starchy foods

2. extremely formal, stiff, or conventional

   a starchy manner

3. stiffened with starch

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Other Word Forms

• starchily adverb
• starchiness noun

Etymology

Origin of starchy

First recorded in 1795–1805; starch + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Because they are dense and starchy, eating large amounts can slow the rate at which the stomach empties, a condition known as gastroparesis, or in rare situations, cause a complete blockage.

From Science Daily

We bargain with them to eat a bite or two of vegetables before allowing them second helpings of the starchy things they really want.

From The Wall Street Journal

Andrew says the "worst offenders" include cereal, scrambled eggs, or starchy food with protein-heavy residues.

From BBC

All morning he’d felt like a pot on the stove, the water getting warmer and warmer, but when she said that, the pot boiled over, hot starchy anger flowing out of him.

From Literature

Tossed with pasta, egg, cheese, and a little of the starchy cooking water, they became a mushroom carbonara—rich, smoky, and deeply satisfying.

From Salon

Related Words

• stuffy