Bon Appétit
exclamation /ˌbɒn æpəˈtiː/ — An expression used to wish someone an enjoyable meal.
Definition
A French phrase used to wish someone a good appetite and an enjoyable meal. The universal greeting of the table — a moment before eating that acknowledges food as more than fuel, as an experience to be entered into with intention.
Beyond the definition
Bon appétit is a small ceremony. It says: pause. This matters. What is about to happen is worth a moment of acknowledgement. The countries that say it understand something important about why we eat together.
Origin & history
French: 'bon' (good) + 'appétit' (appetite). Literally 'good appetite'. Used as a mealtime greeting across French-speaking cultures and adopted internationally. The phrase implies appetite as a positive attribute.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She set the table with care, lit the candles, sat down, looked at him, and said simply: 'Bon appétit.'
The chef emerged from the kitchen long enough to say bon appétit and disappear again.
There is no direct English equivalent — 'enjoy your meal' doesn't quite carry the warmth.
How to use it
Follow this entry’s examples for grammatical form and sentence placement.
Choose “Bon Appétit” when the meaning fits your context: A French phrase used to wish someone a good appetite and an enjoyable meal. The universal greeting of the table — a moment before eating that acknowledges food as more than fuel, as an experience to be entered into with intention.
Synonyms
enjoy your meal, good appetite, eat well
Related words
Bon Appétit vs enjoy
Bon appétit is a formal, culinary-specific phrase used to wish someone a good meal. Enjoy is a generic, casual verb used for any pleasurable activity, including eating.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Savouring Rich Sauce and Bread
An adult in a kitchen holds bread dipped into a rich, steaming sauce with a satisfied expression.
The person’s expression of satisfaction before the meal acts as a non-verbal 'bon appétit,' acknowledging the food as an experience to be entered into with intention and pleasure.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Bon Appétit" mean?
Bon Appétit is exclamation meaning: An expression used to wish someone an enjoyable meal.. A French phrase used to wish someone a good appetite and an enjoyable meal. The universal greeting of the table — a moment before eating that acknowledges food as more than fuel, as an experience to be entered into with intention.
Where does the word "Bon Appétit" come from?
French: 'bon' (good) + 'appétit' (appetite). Literally 'good appetite'. Used as a mealtime greeting across French-speaking cultures and adopted internationally. The phrase implies appetite as a positive attribute.