appetizing

adjective

ap·​pe·​tiz·​ing ˈa-pə-ˌtī-ziŋ 

: appealing to the appetite especially in appearance or aroma

also : appealing to one's taste

an appetizing display of merchandise

appetizingly

ˈa-pə-ˌtī-ziŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• ambrosial
• dainty
• delectable
• delicious
• delish
• flavorful
• flavorsome
• luscious
• lush
• mouthwatering
• palatable
• savory
• savoury
• scrumptious
• succulent
• tasteful
• tasty
• toothsome
• toothy
• yummy

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

Between the lines: Chefs and foodies have long prized local eggs for their superior taste and rich coloring — an appetizing look factory farms can cheat-replicate with turmeric in the feed. —Anna Spiegel, Axios, 9 Jan. 2025

That hasn’t been appetizing to the Warriors, according to team and league sources. —Marcus Thompson Ii, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025

Few foods are more appetizing to people than a juicy steak. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 31 Dec. 2024

But Wainaina’s descriptions are seductive and appetizing. —Alexis Okeowo, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2024

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

Kids Definition

appetizing

adjective

ap·​pe·​tiz·​ing ˈap-ə-ˌtī-ziŋ 

: appealing to the appetite

appetizingly adverb