mouth-watering
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Extremely appetizing in appearance or smell; causing one's mouth to water in anticipation of eating: Describes food or drink that looks or smells so delicious it stimulates salivation.
- Figuratively, extremely attractive or tempting: Used to describe something non-food that is very appealing or desirable.
Usage and Examples
Describing Food:
- The bakery displayed a tray of mouth-watering pastries in the window.
- The chef prepared a mouth-watering steak with aromatic herbs.
Figurative Use:
- The company offered a mouth-watering salary package to attract top talent.
- He described a mouth-watering opportunity to invest in the new technology.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- "Mouth-wateringly" (Adverb): Used to modify an adjective to indicate an extreme degree of appeal.
- The dessert was mouth-wateringly delicious.
- She was offered a mouth-wateringly large bonus.
Variants and Related Words
- Appetizing (adj): Appealing to the appetite; looks or smells good to eat. (A close synonym, but less intense).
- Delectable (adj): Highly delicious; delightful. (Often more formal).
- Scrumptious (adj): Extremely tasty or delicious. (Informal, similar intensity).
- Savory (adj): Pleasing to the sense of taste, especially by being salty or spicy rather than sweet.
Synonyms
- Delicious
- Tempting
- Succulent
- Luscious
- Toothsome
Idioms and Fixed Phrases
- "A mouth-watering prospect": A future possibility that is very exciting and desirable.
- Owning his own business was a mouth-watering prospect.
- "To make one's mouth water": To cause someone to salivate with anticipation (often the verb phrase from which the adjective is derived).
- The smell of grilled onions made my mouth water.
Adjective
- pleasing to the sense of taste