peckish

USAGE SUMMARY

"peckish" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a slight feeling of hunger. Example: "I felt a bit peckish after the meeting." Alternative expressions include "hungry" and "snackish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mingle with the locals at Caffè Roberto at Via Po 5 and Caffè San Carlo on Piazza San Carlo, then, if you're still peckish, head for dinner at one of the city's elegant world restaurants, serving Piedmonte's specialities, such as porcini mushrooms and (when in season) white truffles.

The Guardian - Travel

Looks may not kill, but they can leave you feeling peckish.

The Economist

It was traditionally consigned to hedgerows, protecting more valuable, edible crops from peckish goats.

The Economist

If it sounds embarrassing when it's tweeted, maybe it shouldn't have been buried in a spending bill that no one is expected to read.One can argue whether Mr McCain's wrong about this, but a few short months ago, Barack Obama agreed with his extremely peckish view of earmarks.

The Economist

GRAPHEON, a graphic design firm in Portland, is kind enough to keep a bowl of sweets in its reception area, not for peckish clients but for the ravenous bicycle messengers who dash to the front desk bearing deliveries.

The Economist

That's about 40m people hungry (or at least peckish) for direct access to the guts of the federal government.Yet C-SPAN has never set up a camera in the hallowed chambers of the United States Supreme Court.

The Economist

They get just two shots at shacking up with potentially peckish females ten times their size.

The Economist

All that tragedy is bound to make one peckish, after all.

Independent

However, if the small pack of pretzels offered still has you feeling peckish, you can ask for seconds, according to the spokeswoman.

Independent

If you're peckish turn left and try the Elite Café at 2049 Fillmore at California Street (001 415 673 5483; ), which specialises in Cajun cuisine.

Independent

More famous for its decor than its food, it's a better bet for a few drinks than a full meal, but if you're feeling peckish, the Moules et Frites (mussels and chips) from €21 (£16) is a reliable standby.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In British English contexts, feel free to use it to add a touch of informal character to your prose.

Common error

Avoid using "peckish" if you are trying to convey starvation or extreme nutritional deprivation. Its charm lies in its understatement; using it for serious hunger can sound inappropriately flippant or tone-deaf in tragic contexts.

Linguistic Context

The word "peckish" functions as an adjective used to describe a physiological state of mild hunger. In the linguistic data provided by Ludwig, it frequently appears as a subject complement following linking verbs like "feel" or "get". It allows writers to specify a degree of hunger that is less intense than being fully hungry but significant enough to warrant attention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Travel & Lifestyle

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "peckish" is a versatile and widely accepted adjective that effectively bridges the gap between casual conversation and professional journalism. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently used to describe a slight appetite, making it the ideal choice for lifestyle writing, food reviews and narrative descriptions. While it maintains a charming British undertone, it is globally recognized. Writers should favor "peckish" when they wish to avoid the bluntness of "hungry" or the hyperbole of "starving". Its secondary meaning of irritability is rarer but provides a useful double-entendre in character-driven prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hungry

The most neutral and direct standard equivalent.

snackish

A more informal, modern alternative implying a desire for small bites.

feeling empty

Describes the physical sensation of needing food.

starving

Often used hyperbolically to indicate strong hunger.

famished

Significantly more intense, implying extreme hunger.

ravenous

Suggests a much more aggressive or predatory level of hunger.

sharp-set

An archaic or regional term for being very hungry.

could eat a horse

An idiomatic expression for extreme hunger.

irritable

Addresses the secondary, less common meaning of the query.

peevish

Relates to the crotchety or irritable secondary definition.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "peckish"?

The term "peckish" primarily means feeling "mildly hungry". It can also occasionally mean feeling "irritable" or crotchety.

Is "peckish" a formal word?

It is generally considered "informal" or neutral. While common in high-quality journalism like The New York Times, it might be better to use "hungry" in strictly academic or technical writing.

Can "peckish" be used in American English?

Yes, although it has British origins, it is well-understood and frequently used in American English to denote a slight "appetite".

What is the difference between "peckish" and "famished"?

The main difference is intensity. Being "peckish" means you want a snack, while being "famished" means you are extremely hungry and need a significant meal.