240 Food Adjectives – Adjectives to Describe Food in English

By: Author English Study Online

Posted on Last updated: November 1, 2023

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Food Adjectives in English! This article will provide a full list of adjectives to describe food.

Food Adjectives List

Acid
Acidic
Ample
Appealing
Appetizing
Aromatic
Astringent
Baked
Balsamic
Beautiful
Bite-size
Bitter
Bland
Blazed
Blended
Blunt
Boiled
Briny
Brown
Burnt
Buttered
Caked
Calorie
Candied
Caramelized
Caustic
Center cut
Cheesy
Chocolate
Cholesterol free
Chunked
Classic
Classy
Cold
Cool
Crafted
Creamed
Creamy
Crisp
Crunchy
Cured
Cutting
Dazzling
Deep-fried
Delectable
Delicious
Delight
Distinctive
Doughy
Dressed
Dripping
Drizzle
Dry
Dull
Edible
Elastic
Ethnic
Extraordinary
Famous
Famy
Fantastic
Fetid
Fiery
Filet
Fizzy
Flaky
Flat
Flavored
Flavorful
Fleshy
Fluffy
Fragile
Free
Fresh
Fried
Frozen
Fruity
Furry
Garlic
Generous
Gingery
Glazed
Golden
Gorgeous
Gourmet
Greasy
Grilled
Gritty
Harsh
Heady
Honey
Hot
Icy
Infused
Insipid
Intense
Juicy
Jumbo
Kosher
Large
Lavish
Lean
Leathery
Lite
Lively
Low
Low-fat
Luscious
Marinated
Mashed
Mellow
Mild
Minty
Mixed
Moist
Mouth-watering
Nationally famous
Natural
Nectarous
Non-fat
Nutmeg
Nutty
Oily
Open face
Organic
Overpowering
Palatable
Penetrating
Peppery
Perfection
Petite
Pickled
Piquant
Plain
Pleasant
Plump
Poached
Popular
Pounded
Prepared
Prickly
Pulpy
Pungent
Pureed
Rancid
Rank
Reduced
Refresh
Rich
Ripe
Roasted
Robust
Rotten
Rubbery
Saccharine
Saline
Salty
Sapid
Saporous
Satin
Satiny
Sauteed
Savorless
Savory
Scrumptious
Sea salt
Seared
Seasoned
Sharp
Sharp-tasting
Silky
Simmered
Sizzling
Skillfully
Small
Smelly
Smoked
Smoky
Smothered
Soothing
Soporific
Sour
Special
Spiced
Spicy
Spiral-cut
Spongy
Sprinkled
Stale
Steamed
Sticky
Stinging
Strong
Stuffed
Succulent
Sugar-coated
Sugared
Sugar-free
Sugarless
Sugary
Superb
Sweet
Sweet-and-sour
Sweetened
Syrupy
Tangy
Tantalizing
Tart
Tasteful
Tasteless
Tasty
Tender
Tepid
Terrific
Thick
Thin
Toasted
Topped
Tossed
Tough
Traditional
Treacly
Treat
Unflavored
Unsavory
Unseasoned
Vanilla
Velvety
Vinegary
Warm
Waxy
Weak
Whipped
Whole
Wonderful
Yucky
Yummy
Zesty
Zingy

Common Food Adjectives

Flavor and Taste Adjectives

Sour
Tart
Citrusy
Fruity
Earthy
Herbaceous
Minty
Cool
Hot
Peppery
Smoky
Woody
Nutty
Creamy
Buttery
Crispy
Chewy
Tender
Flaky
Juicy
Meaty
Umami
Briny
Tangy
Zesty
Astringent
Robust
Fragrant
Sweet-sour
Spiced
Bittersweet
Flavorful
Cloying
Saccharine
Syrupy
Nectarous
Honeyed
Fruity
Confectionary
Sugared
Luscious
Sweet
Salty
Acrid
Tart
Pungent
Astringent
Bracing
Harsh
Mordant
Acetic
Quinine-like
Resinous
Ambrosial

Flavor and Taste Adjectives with Meanings

Sour – Having an acidic or tart taste,e.g. lemon, or vinegar.
Tart – Similar to sour, but with a sharp and tangy taste,e.g. sour apple.
Citrusy – Having a taste or aroma of citrus fruit,e.g. orange, or grapefruit.
Fruity – Having a sweet or tart taste of fruit,e.g. strawberry, or pineapple.
Earthy – Having a taste or aroma of soil or minerals,e.g. beetroot, mushroom.
Herbaceous – Having a taste or aroma of herbs,e.g. rosemary, basil.
Minty – Having a refreshing and cool taste or aroma of mint,e.g. peppermint, spearmint.
Cool – Having a refreshing and chilly taste,e.g. mint ice cream, cucumber.
Hot – Having a spicy and burning taste,e.g. chili pepper, wasabi.
Peppery – Having a sharp and pungent taste, similar to black pepper,e.g. arugula.
Smoky – Having a taste or aroma of smoke,e.g. smoked salmon, barbecue.
Woody – Having a taste or aroma of wood or bark,e.g. oak-aged wine,cedar-plank salmon.
Nutty – Having a taste or aroma of nuts,e.g. almond, walnut.
Creamy – Having a smooth and rich taste or texture,e.g. cream cheese, or ice cream.
Buttery – Having a rich and creamy taste of butter,e.g. croissant, popcorn.
Crispy – Having a crunchy and brittle texture,e.g. potato chips, fried chicken.
Chewy – Having a tough and resilient texture,e.g. caramel, bagel.
Tender – Having a soft and delicate texture,e.g. poached egg, or medium-rare steak.
Flaky – Having a delicate and layered texture, puff pastry.
Juicy – Having a moist and succulent texture or taste,e.g. watermelon, or steak.
Meaty – Having a rich and savory taste or texture, similar to meat,e.g. portobello mushroom.
Umami – Having a savory and meaty taste,e.g. soy sauce, Parmesan cheese.
Briny – Having a salty and slightly bitter taste, similar to seawater,e.g. olives, capers.
Tangy – Having a sharp and piquant taste,e.g. sour cream, pickles.
Zesty – Having a bright and lively taste, usually with citrus notes,e.g. lemon zest, and salsa.
Astringent – Having a dry and puckering taste or texture,e.g. black tea, or red wine.
Robust – Having a full-bodied and strong taste or flavor,e.g. dark roast coffee, red meat.
Fragrant – Having a strong and pleasant aroma,e.g. fresh herbs, jasmine tea.
Sweet-sour – Having a balanced taste of sweetness and acidity,e.g. sweet and sour sauce, lemonade.
Spiced – Having a complex and aromatic taste from a combination of spices,e.g. chai tea, or mulled wine.
Bittersweet – Having a taste or flavor that is both bitter and sweet,e.g. dark chocolate, or grapefruit.
Flavorful – Having a rich and well-developed taste or flavor,e.g. seasoned vegetables, or roasted meats.

Related 150 Adjectives That Start with J with Interesting Examples

Texture Adjectives

Smooth
Rough
Bumpy
Grainy
Wavy
Fluffy
Soft
Hard
Prickly
Furry
Silky
Velvety
Shiny
Matte
Gritty
Sleek
Coarse
Slippery
Crumbly
Crunchy
Spongy
Rubbery
Slimy
Mushy
Chewy
Brittle
Crispy
Powdery
Granular
Sticky
Clumpy
Grassy
Fibrous
Stringy
Lumpy
Fuzzy
Porous
Dense
Satiny
Glazed
Embossed
Inlaid
Embroidered
Pitted
Fluted
Ribbed
Knobby
Peaked
Flaked
Frayed
Creamy

Texture Adjective with Meanings

Smooth: having a surface free from roughness, bumps or irregularities
Rough: having an uneven or irregular surface; not smooth
Bumpy: having a surface with many small raised areas; uneven
Grainy: having a surface that resembles or feels like grains of sand or sugar
Wavy: having a surface with undulating or wavelike patterns
Fluffy: light, soft and airy in texture or appearance
Soft: easily yielding to pressure; not hard or firm to the touch
Hard: firm to the touch; not easily penetrated or crushed
Prickly: having sharp, pointed projections or thorns
Furry: covered with fur or hair; having a fuzzy texture
Silky: smooth and soft like silk
Velvety: having a soft and smooth texture like velvet
Shiny: having a smooth and glossy surface that reflects light
Matte: having a dull or non-reflective surface
Gritty: having a rough texture with particles of sand or grit
Sleek: smooth and glossy in appearance; having an elegant or streamlined shape
Coarse: having a rough, harsh or abrasive texture; not fine or delicate
Slippery: having a surface that is smooth and wet or oily, making it difficult to hold or walk on
Crumbly: easily broken into small fragments or crumbs
Crunchy: producing a crisp or brittle sound when bitten or crushed
Spongy: having a soft and porous texture like a sponge

Related What Are Descriptive Adjectives? Types and Some Popular Examples

Aroma and Smell Adjectives

Fragrant
Earthy
Smoky
Woody
Fruity
Aromatic
Perfumed
Floral
Herbal
Spicy
Musky
Citrusy
Sweet
Sour
Bitter
Nutty
Roasted
Burnt
Floral-woody
Oriental
Ammoniacal
Antiseptic
Camphoraceous
Fecal
Fishy
Fusty
Mildewy
Musty
Putrid
Rancid
Rank
Stale
Burnished
Heady
Redolent
Stinky
Vinegary
Yeasty
Tangy
Astringent
Sourish
Green
Mellow
Ripe
Pungent
Faint
Rugged
Delicate
Sweetish
Earthy-musky
Berry-like
Woody-resinous
Damp
Honeyed
Malodorous
Mephitic

Aroma and Smell Adjectives with Meanings

Fragrant: having a pleasant and sweet smell.
Earthy: having a smell or taste reminiscent of the earth or soil.
Smoky: having a strong and pungent odor of smoke or burnt wood.
Woody: having the scent of wood or bark.
Fruity: having a sweet and pleasant smell of fruit.
Aromatic: having a strong and pleasant smell, usually derived from spices or herbs.
Perfumed: having a pleasant and strong odor, usually artificially produced.
Floral: having the smell of flowers, often sweet and delicate.
Herbal: having a strong and pleasant smell of herbs, such as basil or mint.
Spicy: having a strong and pungent smell of spices, such as ginger or cinnamon.
Musky: having a strong and slightly sweet odor, reminiscent of musk.
Citrusy: having a bright and sharp smell, similar to citrus fruits.
Sweet: having a sugary and pleasant smell.
Sour: having a sharp and unpleasant smell, similar to sour fruits or vinegar.
Bitter: having a sharp and pungent smell, usually associated with bitter foods or herbs.
Nutty: having a pleasant and sweet smell of nuts.
Roasted: having a strong and pleasant smell of roasted food, such as coffee or nuts.
Burnt: having a strong and unpleasant smell of burned food or materials.
Floral-woody: having a combination of floral and woody scents.
Oriental: having a warm and exotic smell, usually associated with spices or incense.
Ammoniacal: having a sharp and pungent smell of ammonia.
Antiseptic: having a clean and sharp smell, usually associated with disinfectants.
Camphoraceous: having a strong and sharp smell, similar to camphor.
Fecal: having a strong and unpleasant smell, similar to feces.

Related 800+ Cool Adjectives That Start with M You Should Learn

Appearance Adjectives

Vibrant
Colorful
Glossy
Shiny
Textured
Glossy
Shiny
Matte
Satin
Metallic
Iridescent
Lustrous
Gleaming
Sparkling
Glittering
Dull
Muted
Faded
Washed-out
Pastel
Vibrant
Bold
Bright
Light
Dark
Muddy
Muted
Soft
Hard
Rough
Smooth
Textured
Patterned
Striped
Spotted
Dotted
Checkered
Solid
Gradient
Transparent
Opaque
Translucent
Sheer
Semi-sheer
Tinted
Tone-on-tone
Marbled
Swirled
Mottled
Speckled
Flecked
Streaked
Variegated
Frosted
Clear
Cloudy
Ombre
Holographic
Pearlescent
Metallic
Chromatic
Rainbow-colored
Neon-colored
Black-and-white
Monochromatic
Multicolored

Appearance Adjectives with Meanings

Vibrant – Bright and intense in color or appearance.
Colorful – Having a variety of colors or a bright appearance.
Glossy – Shiny and reflective.
Shiny – Reflective and smooth.
Textured – Having a rough or uneven surface or appearance.
Matte – Not shiny or reflective.
Satin – Smooth and shiny, with a soft texture.
Metallic – Resembling metal in shine or appearance.
Iridescent – Showing luminous colors that seem to change depending on the angle.
Lustrous – Shiny and luminous.
Gleaming – Shining brightly, often reflecting light.
Sparkling – Shining brightly with small, flickering lights.
Glittering – Shining brightly with small, reflective particles.
Dull – Lacking shine or brightness.
Muted – Softened in tone or color, lacking brightness.
Faded – Having lost brightness or color over time.
Washed-out – Having lost color or brightness due to washing or fading.
Pastel – Having a soft, pale, or delicate color.
Bold – Having a strong, bright, or striking appearance.
Bright – Having a strong or vivid color or appearance.
Light – Having a pale or soft color or appearance.
Dark – Having a deep or intense color or appearance.
Muddy – Having a dull, brownish or earthy appearance.
Soft – Having a smooth or gentle appearance.
Hard – Having a firm or rigid appearance.

Food Adjectives List | Infographic

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