peckish

Ever feel like you're not quite hungry enough for a full meal, but your stomach is starting to ask for something? That's when you're peckish. It describes a mild hunger, the kind that makes you want a small snack rather than a big plate of food. You might feel peckish in the middle of the afternoon, after a walk, or when dinner is still an hour away. It's a gentle, everyday word for being a little hungry, not starving.

"Peckish" describes the feeling of being slightly hungry, not starving, but ready for something small to eat. It usually suggests a mild appetite: enough to want a biscuit, some fruit, or a few chips, but not necessarily enough for a full meal.

Compared with "hungry," this word sounds softer and less urgent. If you're peckish, you want a little something to keep you going. It is common in informal British English, and many English speakers use it when they want to sound casual, warm, or polite.

The word is usually used in everyday situations. Someone might say, "I'm getting a bit peckish," when they want a snack before dinner, or "We felt peckish after the walk," when a light bite sounds perfect. It can also be useful when politely saying that you do not want a full meal, only something small. Overall, it is a friendly, natural way to talk about light hunger.