# nom

/ˈnɑm/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nom
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 2. to eat with pleasure

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

to eat something with a lot of enjoyment, often making noise.

For teachers: to consume food with audible or visible relish.

- The puppy started to nom on his new treats immediately.
- We watched the rabbit happily nomming its way through a pile of fresh clover.

Usage: Frequently used in the progressive 'nomming'.

Teaching tip: Mostly used when talking about pets or in a cute, playful way on the internet.

### 3. a nomination

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a short way to say 'nomination', especially for an award.

For teachers: a clipping of 'nomination', typically used in the context of entertainment awards or political appointments.

- The actress was so excited to get an Oscar nom for her first movie.
- After the surprise nom for Best Director, the studio increased the film's marketing budget significantly.

Usage: Common in headlines and casual conversation about awards.

Teaching tip: Learners should use the full word 'nomination' in any formal writing or professional emails.

## Examples

- This chocolate cake is so good, nom!
- She posted a photo of her giant burger with the caption 'nom' to show how much she enjoyed it.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.