English Reference

Word

tasty

US/ˈteɪsti/

UK/tˈeɪsti/

Definitions

01good flavour

A1 · Beginner Cooking

adj. having a very pleasant or delicious taste.

adj. having a pleasant or satisfying flavour; highly palatable.

“The chef prepared a tasty meal with fresh vegetables and herbs.”

“The reduction sauce provided a tasty accompaniment to the roasted duck, balancing the richness of the meat with a sharp acidity.”

Synonyms

deliciousflavourfulyummy

02attractive

B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal · Slang

adj. physically attractive or appealing to look at.

adj. physically or sexually attractive. Informal in register and often considered objectifying depending on context.

“He thought the new lead singer in the band was quite tasty.”

“The marketing campaign relied on flashy, tasty visuals to grab the attention of a younger, trend-conscious demographic.”

Synonyms

attractivegood-looking

Antonyms

03good at fighting

C1 · Advanced British English · Informal · Slang

adj. able to fight well or likely to be violent.

adj. possessing formidable fighting ability or a propensity for physical confrontation.

“You should be careful with him; I heard he's a bit tasty with his fists.”

“The local pub had a reputation for attracting a tasty crowd on Friday nights, often requiring extra security at the door.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

04a treat

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Cooking Informal

n. a small piece of food that tastes very good.

n. a delicious item of food; a treat or snack.

“She brought a box of little tasties to the office to share with her colleagues.”

“The hamper was filled with various savoury tasties, ranging from artisanal cheeses to smoked meats.”

Etymology

From taste + -y. The Philippine sense is due to a genericized trademark from Taystee Bread Company, a defunct American company.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

ADJECTIVE

tasty(A1)

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
Frequency
Frequent
Level
A1 · Beginner
Updated

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English Reference