What does this slang term mean?

Find definitions, authentic UK slang origins, meanings, and contextual sentence examples on Streetionary.

Peckish Meaning - Streetionary

Peckish (adjective / UK Slang)

(Also heard as: A bit peckish, Feeling peckish, Slightly peckish)

Definition:

Peckish means a little bit hungry. It is the word Brits use when they want a snack, not a full meal. If someone says they are feeling peckish, they could eat something small, such as a biscuit, a sandwich or a bag of crisps.

Where Peckish Comes From:

The word comes from “peck”, the action of a bird eating small bits of food, and was first recorded in the early 1800s. The ending “-ish” makes it mean “a bit”. It has stayed in everyday British English ever since and is widely understood in Australia and Ireland too.

How People Actually Use Peckish:

It is a polite, understated way to say you are hungry: “I am a bit peckish, shall we get something?” Because it is mild, it often comes before a trip to the chippy or a round of toast. In the USA, people would more often say “a little hungry” or “snacky”.

Is Peckish the Same as Starving?

No. Peckish is the gentle end of hunger. If someone is really hungry, they would say they are starving or ravenous.

Examples in the Wild:

“I am feeling a bit peckish, fancy a sarnie?”
Meaning: I am slightly hungry and want a snack.
“We were peckish after the film, so we got chips.”
Meaning: We wanted something small to eat.
“Anyone else peckish?”
Meaning: Does anyone else want a snack?