What does appetize mean?
Appetize means to stimulate or arouse the appetite. It is used especially when food, its aroma, its appearance, or the promise of an appealing experience makes someone want to eat or take part. The verb can be literal, as when a restaurant's display appetizes passersby, or figurative, as when an advertisement appetizes viewers toward a new destination. In figurative use, it suggests that something has awakened a desire or made it more compelling, rather than merely attracting attention. Appetize is related to appetite and is often interchangeable with the more traditional verb whet in the phrase whet the appetite. Its -ize spelling is particularly associated with American English, whereas British English commonly uses appetise. The word is useful because it captures not simply approval or interest, but the specific effect of stimulating desire, especially the desire to eat.
verbTo stimulate or arouse the appetite, especially by making something visually or sensorially appealing.
- To stimulate or arouse the appetite, especially by making food, an image, or an experience appealing.
"The aroma of roasting garlic appetized the entire family."
"The aroma of roasting garlic appetized the entire family."
"A colorful travel documentary about street food may appetize even viewers who rarely eat out."
If a photograph can make you hungry, it has appetized you.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of appetize
Appetize was formed in 19th-century English from appetite and the suffix -ize. Its ultimate source is the Latin verb appetere, meaning “to seek” or “to desire,” which also underlies appetite, appetitive, and appetence. The English formation turned an existing noun referring to hunger or desire into a verb describing the deliberate stimulation of that desire.
Related word forms
How appetize is actually used
The -ize spelling is especially common in American English, while British English usually uses the -ise form, appetise. The verb is neutral in register but often conveys a vivid or figurative kind of stimulation.
Easily confused with appetize
Appetize is a verb meaning to stimulate the appetite, whereas an appetizer is a small food or drink served to stimulate the appetite.