nosh
/nɒʃ/ IELTSAcademic
verb
to eat, especially in a casual or light way. It often suggests snacking or eating informally.
- We noshed on chips during the movie.
- They noshed at the airport before boarding.
noun
food, especially a snack or simple meal. It is informal and often used in speech.
- Let's grab a quick nosh.
- The party had plenty of nosh.
Adinary Nuance
Nosh is more casual than eat and less focused than snack. It usually suggests relaxed, informal eating, often with friends. Writers choose it when they want a light, friendly tone, not a formal one.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- ăn vặt
- Spanish
- picar
- Chinese
- 吃点心
- Japanese
- 軽く食べる
- Korean
- 간단히 먹다
Etymology
The word came into English as slang in the early 20th century. It is often linked to Yiddish and earlier Germanic forms meaning “to chew” or “to gnaw.”
Common phrases
grab a nosha bit of noshnosh on something
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is nosh formal or informal?
- It is informal. Use it in speech, not in formal writing.
- Is nosh a verb or a noun?
- It can be both. As a verb, it means to eat casually; as a noun, it means food or a snack.
- How is nosh different from snack?
- Snack is more standard. Nosh sounds more casual and friendly.