Foodie
n.joyful, thoughtfulplayful
What it means
A person who enthusiastically explores and appreciates food.
Reach for it when naming someone who enthusiastically explores and appreciates food
The curious foodie sampled every regional dish at the market.
Choose between these
6- playful
chowhound
eager pursuit of good food should sound comic
not when Chowhound is slangy and can suggest appetite over discernment.
- warm
food lover
plain affectionate language is preferred
not when Food lover does not imply curiosity or knowledge.
- professional
culinary enthusiast
neutral inclusive wording suits a profile
not when The phrase is less lively and can include cooking more than eating.
- formal
gastronome
serious study and appreciation of cuisine is intended
not when Gastronome overstates the expertise of a casual hobbyist.
- formal
refined knowledge and discriminating taste are central
not when Gourmet can sound elitist and may imply luxury.
- literary
epicure
cultivated enjoyment of food deserves an elevated term
not when Epicure is obscure and can sound affected.
Said against
3- indifferent eater
- food avoider
- unadventurous eater
It naturally appears in
3- curious foodie
The curious foodie sampled every regional dish.
- local foodie
A local foodie mapped the town's family bakeries.
- foodie destination
The market has become a foodie destination without losing its farmers.
Where this comes from
- wiktionary, English informal noun sense: person with strong interest in food opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.