foodie

noun

food·​ie ˈfü-dē How to pronounce foodie (audio)
: a person having an avid interest in the latest food fads

Did you know?

Foodie is a relatively recent addition to our language (dating from the early 1980s), but it derives from a much older word, food, which has been with us for as long as there has been anything that could be called English. Food can be traced back through Middle English to the Old English form fōda, which is itself related to Old High German fuotar, meaning "food" or "fodder," and Latin panis, meaning "bread." Panis is the source for empanada (a turnover with a sweet or savory filling), panatela (a type of cigar), panettone (a kind of bread containing raisins and candied fruit), and pantry (a room used for the storage of provisions).

Examples of foodie in a Sentence

The restaurant is very popular among foodies.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While tailgates often get a fair share of foodie attention, even more often Southerners are watching with family and friends at one another’s home, with a spread of classic game day dips and snacks that disappear as each quarter ticks on. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025 Jakarta is next in line for savvy foodies looking for underrated destinations, thanks to its diverse culinary offerings from a thriving Asian chef community and a fusion of traditional and modern flavors that reflect the city’s rich cultural tapestry. Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 Pry yourself away from the market stalls and tequila distilleries of foodie-favorite Oaxaca for the cool coastal towns that line the region's beaches. Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025 Deen also takes several swipes at her former detractors in the project, including fellow foodie and CNN travel documentarian Anthony Bourdain, who died by suicide in 2018. Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for foodie

Word History

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of foodie was in 1980

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Cite this Entry

“Foodie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foodie. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

foodie

noun
ˈfü-dē
: a person having an avid interest in the latest food fads

More from Merriam-Webster on foodie

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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