What does mouthwateringly mean?
“Mouthwateringly” is an expressive adverb meaning so deliciously or appealingly that one feels one's mouth watering with desire to eat. It is especially common in descriptions of food, whether it is being served, pictured, or described, and it often carries a warm, indulgent tone rather than the neutrality of a simple word such as “deliciously.” The expression can also be used figuratively for anything that is highly attractive, though food remains its natural habitat. For instance, reviewers may call a meal “mouthwateringly tender,” while an advertisement may promise a dish that looks “mouthwateringly rich.” Although the wording is firmly in ordinary English, “mouthwateringly” has an informal, enthusiastic quality and is well suited to food writing, menus, and conversational reviews. It is more emphatic and vivid than “appetizingly” and often suggests that the appeal is immediate and sensory. The word’s usefulness lies in its compact expression of intense craving: it turns the physical response of watering the mouth into a memorable description of food that looks or tastes exceptionally inviting.
adverbIn a way that is so delicious or appetizing that it makes one's mouth water.
- So delicious or appetizing that it causes salivation or a strong desire to eat.
"The chef served a mouthwateringly fragrant lamb curry."
"The bakery's cinnamon rolls were mouthwateringly fragrant."
"Her account of the hidden seaside restaurant was mouthwateringly vivid."
The quickest way to say “I could eat this before it reaches the table”.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mouthwateringly come from?
“Mouthwateringly” is an English formation built on the compound “mouth-watering,” with the adverbial suffix -ly added to the adjective. The compound combines “mouth” and “water,” both inherited from Old English, and describes the salivation prompted by appetizing food; the longer adverb converts that description into a manner adverb. Related English formations preserve the same root, including “mouthful,” “mouthpiece,” and “mouthwash.”
Related word forms
How mouthwateringly is actually used
Informal and expressive, especially common in food reviews, menus, and advertisements. It can be used figuratively for things that are intensely appealing.
Easily confused with mouthwateringly
“Mouthwatering” is normally an adjective describing food, while “mouthwateringly” is an adverb modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb.