not very hungry

USAGE SUMMARY

"not very hungry" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a lack of appetite or a mild level of hunger. This phrase can be used in a variety of contexts, such as in a description of someone's current state or in response to a question about one's hunger level. Example: "After having a big breakfast, I am not very hungry for lunch." Example: "I asked her if she wanted to grab a snack, but she replied with 'not very hungry'."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"I'm not very hungry," I said.

The New York Times

Ryan Brennan, 17, was not very hungry during his second inpatient stint at Sloan-Kettering for sarcoma in the fall.

The New York Times

"All those years of wrestling made me, frankly, not very hungry," he said, "because I associate eating too much with gruelling self-punishment".

The New Yorker

We like to get our flautas fix from a vendor on Río Nilo because the meat they use, usually beef, is tender and beautifully seasoned; it's also the kind of place where you can order just one flauta if you're not very hungry.

The Guardian - Travel

Candidates that stay in a role for extended years are likely not very hungry.

Forbes

This could be one of the reasons why, despite an extended overnight fast, paradoxically, people typically are not very hungry in the morning.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"I wasn't very hungry," he said.

The New Yorker

"Maybe he wasn't very hungry".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She offered to go out, to buy something from the deli, but Rohin said he wasn't very hungry, and accepted one of the rice cakes.

The New Yorker

They tried escargots or asparagus tips in puff pastry, ordered a starter or two in lieu of a full meal when they weren't very hungry, or requested an extra dessert when they just couldn't decide which of two to choose.

The New York Times - Travel

It was then that I noticed: I just wasn't very hungry.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When responding to an offer of food, use "not very hungry" to politely decline without seeming disinterested or rude. This suggests a mild level of satiation rather than complete disinterest.

Common error

Avoid substituting with overly formal phrases like "my appetite is currently diminished" in casual conversations. "Not very hungry" strikes a balance between politeness and natural language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very hungry" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied subject (e.g., "I am"). It's used to describe a state of reduced appetite. Ludwig AI confirms its typical usage in expressing a mild lack of hunger.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not very hungry" is a useful and grammatically sound expression for indicating a mild lack of appetite. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's frequently employed in neutral contexts like news and media, and is generally considered polite. Alternatives such as "slightly hungry" or "not too hungry" can be used for variety, but "not very hungry" strikes a good balance between formality and casualness. Understanding the appropriateness of this phrase and its subtle implications can enhance communication and prevent misunderstandings, especially when dealing with food offers or social situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not particularly hungry

Uses "particularly" to soften the hunger level, similar to "very".

slightly hungry

Indicates a low level of hunger, directly stating the reduced intensity.

not feeling very hungry

Adds the element of feeling to the lack of hunger.

a little peckish

Uses a more informal term, "peckish", to describe a slight hunger.

not too hungry

Replaces "very" with "too" to express a similar sentiment of reduced hunger.

not that hungry

Emphasizes the absence of significant hunger.

not really hungry

Adds "really" to soften the statement.

not having much of an appetite

Focuses on the lack of appetite instead of the absence of hunger.

not keen on eating

Expresses a lack of desire to eat.

my appetite is low

A more formal way of saying that one's desire to eat is diminished.

FAQs

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

You can use "not very hungry" to politely decline food or indicate a mild level of satiation. For example: "I appreciate the offer, but I'm "not very hungry" right now."

What's a more informal way to say "not very hungry"?

Informal alternatives include "I'm "a little peckish"" or "I'm "not too hungry"". These are suitable for casual conversations with friends or family.

Is it rude to say "I'm not very hungry" when someone offers me food?

Saying "I'm "not very hungry"" is generally considered polite as it acknowledges the offer without outright rejection. It suggests you might eat later or are only mildly full.

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

"Not hungry" implies a complete lack of appetite, while ""not very hungry"" suggests a slight appetite or a lesser degree of hunger. The latter is often perceived as more polite.