English Reference
adjective · noun

tasty

adj. · n.
US /ˈteɪsti/ UK /tˈeɪsti/ tasty

  1. 01 A1 Beginner Cooking

    adj.having a very pleasant or delicious taste.

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

    Simple

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

    In context

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

    deliciousflavourfulyummy
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate InformalSlang

    adj.physically attractive or appealing to look at.

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

    Simple

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

    In context

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

    attractivegood looking
  3. 03 C1 Advanced British EnglishInformalSlang

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

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

    Simple

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

    In context

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

  4. 04 B1 Intermediate Informal Cooking

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

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

    Simple

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

    In context

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


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.

This entry
Level A1 · Beginner
Frequency Frequent
Updated