moreish
/ˈmɔː.rɪʃ/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
If food is moreish, it tastes so good that you want to keep eating it. It is often used in British English.
- These crisps are really moreish.
- The sauce made the dish moreish.
- It was sweet, rich, and very moreish.
Adinary Nuance
Moreish is stronger and more informal than just saying something is tasty or nice. It focuses on the feeling that you want more of it, not only that it tastes good. Writers use it for food that is hard to stop eating, not for all pleasant food. It is closer to 'addictive' in feeling, but much lighter and friendlier.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- gây thèm ăn
- Spanish
- apetitoso
- Chinese
- 让人想再吃
- Japanese
- もっと食べたくなる
- Korean
- 계속 먹고 싶은
Etymology
Moreish comes from the word more, with the ending -ish added for meaning. It appeared in British English in the 1900s and is now common in informal speech.
Common phrases
moreish flavourvery moreisha moreish snack
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is moreish formal or informal?
- It is informal and mainly used in speech or friendly writing.
- Can I use moreish for drinks or other things?
- Usually it describes food, but sometimes it can describe a pleasant, addictive quality.
- Is moreish used in American English?
- It is more common in British English than in American English.
- What is the difference between moreish and tasty?
- Tasty means good to eat. Moreish means so good you want more.