chef-kiss
/ˌʃef ˈkɪs/ IELTSAcademic
phrase
A gesture of approval for something very good, especially food, style, or a perfect result. It usually means "excellent" or "perfectly done."
- That sauce was chef-kiss.
- Your presentation was chef-kiss.
- The finish on this work is chef-kiss.
Adinary Nuance
"Chef-kiss" is more playful and modern than "perfect" or "excellent." People often use it online or in casual speech to praise food, design, or a result that feels just right. It is not a formal word, so it can sound too slangy in business writing.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- quá đỉnh
- Spanish
- de diez
- Chinese
- 绝了
- Japanese
- 完璧
- Korean
- 끝내줘
Etymology
This is a modern internet phrase, built from the image of a chef kissing their fingers after tasting something perfect. It became popular in social media and casual speech.
Common phrases
chef-kiss momentpure chef-kissabsolutely chef-kiss
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is chef-kiss formal or informal?
- It is informal and often playful. Use it in casual speech, comments, or online posts.
- Is chef-kiss used only for food?
- No. People also use it for design, timing, style, or any perfect result.
- What is the difference between chef-kiss and perfect?
- Perfect is neutral and works everywhere. Chef-kiss is more expressive and trendy.