chef's kiss

noun

plural chef's kisses
: a gesture of satisfaction or approval made by kissing the fingertips of one hand and then spreading the fingers with an outward motion
The crab itself deserved a chef's kiss—not only was it clear that it was good quality crab that had been handled with care, but it also had this mouthwatering consistency that held its integrity until you bit into it. Then it was like a burst of flavour. Amy Martin
often used interjectionally
… To finish it off, drizzle with honey and a sprinkling of flaky sea salt. Chef's kiss. Maki Yazawa
The plaid thigh-high boots, the daring slit, the mohawk head piece? Chef's kiss. Ehis Osifo

Examples of chef's kiss in a Sentence

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.
It's packed with rice powder, a chef's kiss of skin-loving enzymes and vitamins (A, B2, B12, and E) that soften, brighten, and give your skin a plump, healthy glow. Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 Jan. 2025 And never forget the decision to cast Edward Norton as an Elon Musk stand-in—chef's kiss. Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 30 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1992, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chef's kiss was in 1992

Dictionary Entries Near chef's kiss

Cite this Entry

“Chef's kiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chef%27s%20kiss. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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