not that hungry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not that hungry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a mild level of hunger, indicating that you are not very hungry but could still eat something. Example: "I could eat a snack, but I'm not that hungry for a full meal right now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"I'm not that hungry".

The New Yorker

She says, "I'm not that hungry".

The New Yorker

Add to those a casual atmosphere, and you're likely to find yourself popping in even when you're not that hungry.

The New York Times

"When people say they're hungry, we say, 'Are you hungry enough to eat an M.R.E.?' Otherwise, you're not that hungry".

The New York Times

If you're not that hungry, you could forgo the top toast and eat it with a knife and fork as an open sandwich, Scandi-style.

Independent

"Besides," I say, "if you're willing to let a cat get between you and a bowl of food, you're just not that hungry".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

My priorities were reversed, because I wasn't that hungry for gold.

The New York Times - Arts

It's reasonable to assume that most of us ate something when we weren't that hungry, or bought something non-essential.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I wasn't that hungry, as we'd been cooking all day, so just concentrated on the cocktails and the bar snacks, both of which were great.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

*Finding yourself eating, even when you aren't that hungry.

Huffington Post

Remember, you aren't that hungry because you had a nosh before you arrived.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not that hungry" to politely decline offers of food without seeming completely uninterested in eating. For example, "I appreciate the offer, but I'm "not that hungry" right now."

Common error

Avoid using "not that hungry" in highly formal or professional contexts where a more direct or polite decline might be preferred, such as "I'm fine, thank you" or "I'm not hungry at the moment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not that hungry" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied subject (I, you, etc.). It indicates a subjective state of appetite, suggesting a mild or moderate level of hunger. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

21%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not that hungry" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a moderate level of hunger. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media and informal settings. While authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian employ it, be mindful of formality, opting for alternatives in highly professional or formal scenarios. To expand your vocabulary, consider related phrases such as "not very hungry" or "slightly hungry".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not very hungry

Replaces "that" with "very", indicating a slightly lesser degree of hunger.

not particularly hungry

Uses "particularly" for emphasis, suggesting a noticeable lack of hunger.

only a little hungry

Indicates a mild level of hunger, emphasizing the small amount.

not feeling very hungry

Emphasizes the subjective feeling of not being hungry.

not all that hungry

Adds "all" for emphasis, suggesting the speaker is really not hungry.

hardly hungry at all

Highlights the minimal level of hunger being experienced.

not inclined to eat

Expresses a disinclination towards eating, rather than a direct measure of hunger.

not interested in food

Indicates a general lack of interest in eating or food.

not having much of an appetite

Focuses on the absence of a strong appetite.

not in the mood for food

Shifts focus to a lack of desire related to mood, rather than hunger itself.

FAQs

How can I use "not that hungry" in a sentence?

You can use "not that hungry" to express a mild level of hunger. For example, "I could eat a snack, but I'm "not that hungry" for a full meal right now."

What can I say instead of "not that hungry"?

You can use alternatives like "not very hungry", "slightly hungry", or "not all that hungry" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am not that hungry"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used to express a moderate level of hunger. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

What's the difference between "not that hungry" and "not very hungry"?

"Not that hungry" and "not very hungry" are quite similar. "Not very hungry" might suggest a slightly lower level of hunger than "not that hungry", but the difference is minimal.