unappetising
|un-ap-pe-ti-sing|
🇺🇸
/ˌʌnəˈpɛtɪˌzaɪzɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/ˌʌnəˈpɛtɪˌsaɪzɪŋ/
not tempting to eat
Etymology
'unappetising' is formed in English from the negative prefix 'un-' + 'appetising'. 'appetising' ultimately derives from Late Latin 'appetitus', where the root 'petere' meant 'to seek' or 'to strive for' (hence desire for food).
'appetitus' (Late Latin) passed into Middle English as 'appetite' (via Old French influences). The English verb 'appetize/appetise' developed later (18th century), giving rise to the adjective 'appetizing/appetising', and with the addition of the prefix 'un-' the modern adjective 'unappetising' was formed.
Initially related to 'desire for food' (appetite); over time the adjective 'appetising' came to mean 'causing appetite' or 'tempting to eat', and 'unappetising' developed as 'not causing appetite' or 'not tempting to eat'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not appealing to the appetite; unpleasant in appearance, smell, or taste so that one does not want to eat it.
The stew looked unappetising after it had been left uncovered all afternoon.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
figuratively: unattractive or uninviting (not necessarily about food).
The committee found the proposed plan unappetising and decided to look for alternatives.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/22 14:46