munchies
/ˈmʌn.tʃiz/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Informal food cravings, especially for snacks. It usually means a strong desire to eat something small and tasty. In some contexts, it can also mean snacks themselves.
- I got the munchies after dinner.
- We bought chips for the munchies.
- Do you have any munchies at home?
Adinary Nuance
Munchies is more casual than appetite and more specific than hunger. It often means a craving for snacks, not a full meal. In everyday speech, people may also use it to mean the snacks themselves. This word is informal, so it fits speech and friendly writing better than business or academic writing.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- thèm ăn vặt
- Spanish
- antojo de picar
- Chinese
- 想吃零食
- Japanese
- おやつが食べたい気分
- Korean
- 간식이 당김
Etymology
Munchies comes from the verb munch, meaning to chew food noisily. The word became common in informal English in the 20th century, especially for snack cravings.
Common phrases
the munchiesget the munchiesmidnight munchiesmunchies snack
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is munchies formal or informal?
- It is informal. People use it in speaking, messages, and casual writing.
- What is the difference between munchies and hunger?
- Hunger is a general need for food. Munchies usually means a craving for snacks.
- Can munchies mean the snacks themselves?
- Yes. In casual speech, it can mean small snacks people eat between meals.
- Is munchies used in academic writing?
- No, usually not. Academic writing prefers words like hunger, appetite, or cravings.