: appealing to the appetite especially in appearance or aroma
also : appealing to one's taste
an appetizing display of merchandise
Choose the Right Synonym for appetizing

palatable, appetizing, savory, tasty, toothsome mean agreeable or pleasant especially to the sense of taste.

palatable often applies to something that is found to be merely agreeable.

butterflies that birds find palatable

appetizing suggests a whetting of the appetite and applies to aroma and appearance as well as taste.

appetizing hors d'oeuvres

savory applies to both taste and aroma and suggests piquancy and often spiciness.

dumplings with savory fillings

tasty implies a pronounced taste.

a tart and tasty pie

toothsome stresses the notion of agreeableness and sometimes implies tenderness or daintiness.

an enticing array of toothsome desserts

Examples of appetizing in a Sentence

While the stew may not look very appetizing, it tastes wonderful. that dish looks very appetizing
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The plan there isn’t necessarily to sell but allow investments in the cable networks business that might not be appetizing to shareholders of Comcast. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 27 Nov. 2024 Chalet Board: This charming and totally edible chalet is built entirely from appetizing delights. Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 4 Dec. 2024 Choosing the lesser of two evils in this election may not be appetizing. Caise D. Hassan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Oct. 2024 If eating solid food before bed doesn't sound appetizing, a cup of hot eat may be a soothing option. Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Health, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for appetizing 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French appétissant (going back to Middle French, from apetit, appetit appetite + -issant, present participle ending of most -ir verbs), with conformation of -issant to -ize and -ing entry 3

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of appetizing was in 1653

Dictionary Entries Near appetizing

Cite this Entry

“Appetizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appetizing. Accessed 29 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

appetizing

adjective
: appealing to the appetite
appetizingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on appetizing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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