Toothsome
adjective /ˈtuːθs(ə)m/ — Deliciously chewy or pleasing to eat.
Definition
Having a pleasingly chewy, satisfying texture — easy and pleasurable to bite into; more broadly, anything attractive, appealing, or desirable.
Beyond the definition
Toothsome is the word for the good chew — a good sourdough crust, a well-rested steak, a fresh bagel. Food that does not give up immediately but requires a satisfying resistance before it yields. The word has a slight archaic warmth that makes it feel like a compliment out of an older, more appreciative era of eating.
Origin & history
From tooth + -some (full of, tending toward). Related to the idea of what is worthy of the tooth — worthy of chewing. Used since the 16th century for food.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The wood-fired bread had a toothsome crust that made the act of eating feel substantial.
She described the new restaurant as serving the most toothsome morsels she had encountered in years.
There is something toothsome about a problem that requires real thought to solve.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Toothsome” when the meaning fits your context: Having a pleasingly chewy, satisfying texture — easy and pleasurable to bite into; more broadly, anything attractive, appealing, or desirable.
Synonyms
chewy, satisfying, pleasing to eat, appetising
Antonyms
mushy, overcooked, yielding
Related words
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
Slicing Airy Crusty Loaf
A baker is at a counter with a sliced, airy loaf, folded flaky pastry, and a bowl of custard.
The crusty loaf of bread and flaky pastry are inherently toothsome, offering a satisfying texture that is pleasurable to bite into. The visual contrast between the bread's airy crumb and the pastry's layers emphasizes their appealing, desirable quality as food.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Toothsome" mean?
Toothsome is adjective meaning: Deliciously chewy or pleasing to eat.. Having a pleasingly chewy, satisfying texture — easy and pleasurable to bite into; more broadly, anything attractive, appealing, or desirable.
Where does the word "Toothsome" come from?
From tooth + -some (full of, tending toward). Related to the idea of what is worthy of the tooth — worthy of chewing. Used since the 16th century for food.