What does unappetizing mean?
Unappetizing describes something—especially food—that fails to look, smell, or otherwise seem appealing or worth eating. The word is especially common when food has an unattractive color, texture, or presentation, but it can also describe an appearance, place, or situation that strikes people as unpleasant or distasteful. Its force often lies in the vivid implication that one would not want to approach or consume what is being described; consequently, it can suggest emotional as well as physical aversion. It is used in ordinary British and American English and is more pointed than a bland statement such as “not appetizing.” In figurative use, writers may call an agreement, procedure, or prospect unappetizing to convey distaste without describing it literally. The word is therefore useful when the speaker wants to communicate both an immediate sensory reaction and a broader sense of ugliness or disagreeableness.
adjectiveNot appetizing or appealing, especially in appearance or smell. Figuratively, unappealing or distasteful.
- Of food or its appearance or smell: not appealing or appetizing to eat.
- In figurative use: unappealing, distasteful, or unlikely to be pleasant.
"The gray, oily leftovers looked unappetizing."
"The gray, oily leftovers looked unappetizing."
"The bureaucratic process was slow, convoluted, and unappetizing to everyone involved."
One little prefix can make an entire meal sound so bad that it destroys your appetite before the first bite.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unappetizing come from?
Unappetizing was formed in English by attaching the negative prefix un- to appetizing. Appetizing is based on appetite, which came through Old French from Latin appetitus, in turn related to appetere, “to desire” or “to seek.” Related English forms such as appetizer and appetizing preserve the same Latin root, although they do not carry the negative meaning found in unappetizing.
Related word forms
How unappetizing is actually used
Used in ordinary British and American English. It is stronger and more vivid than the neutral expression “not appetizing,” and in figurative use it can imply active distaste rather than merely the absence of enthusiasm.
Easily confused with unappetizing
Appetizing describes food that looks or tastes appealing, whereas unappetizing describes food or another thing that lacks that appeal.