adj
peckish
PEHK-ihsh
Peckish (adj) means Mildly hungry; feeling like having a small snack. Example: “I'm feeling a bit peckish — fancy some crisps?”
adj
1
Mildly hungry; feeling like having a small snack.
"After that run, I'm feeling a bit peckish."
"I'm feeling a bit peckish — fancy some crisps?"
How to use peckish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBritish informal word for being a little hungry, not starving.
UK vs US
Chiefly British English; Americans would more likely say "a little hungry" or "hungry for a snack".
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more peckish
- Superlative
- most peckish
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I'm feeling a bit _____ — fancy some crisps?
Etymology
From peck (verb) + -ish, first recorded in the late 18th century.
Class of 1700
peckish joined the language around 1700.
See the full Class of 1700 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “peckish” mean?
The word “peckish” means mildly hungry; feeling like having a small snack. In plain terms, british informal word for being a little hungry, not starving.
How do you pronounce “peckish”?
“Peckish” is pronounced PEHK-ihsh (/ˈpɛk.ɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “peckish” in a sentence?
Here is “peckish” used in a sentence: “I'm feeling a bit peckish — fancy some crisps?”
What part of speech is “peckish”?
“Peckish” is an adjective.
Where does the word “peckish” come from?
The word “peckish” dates back to around 1700. From peck (verb) + -ish, first recorded in the late 18th century.
