kosher

1 of 3

adjective

ko·​sher ˈkō-shər 

1

a

: sanctioned by Jewish law

especially : ritually fit for use

kosher meat

b

: selling or serving food ritually fit according to Jewish law

a kosher restaurant

2

: being proper, acceptable, or satisfactory

is the deal kosher?

kosher

2 of 3

verb

koshered; koshering ˈkō-sh(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

: to make kosher

kosher

3 of 3

noun

: the observance of kosher practices

keep kosher

Examples of kosher in a Sentence

Adjective

Something about this deal is just not kosher.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

For an auto-drip brewer, start with a medium grind, with the consistency of kosher salt. —Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2024

Sprinkle shrimp with kosher salt, and add to skillet in an even layer. —Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Verb, and Noun

Yiddish, from Hebrew kāshēr fit, proper

First Known Use

Adjective

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1871, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1886, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing kosher

• glatt kosher
• keep kosher

Kids Definition

kosher

adjective

ko·​sher

ˈkō-shər

1

a

: accepted by Jewish law

especially : ritually fit for use

kosher meat

b

: selling or serving food ritually fit according to Jewish law

a kosher restaurant

2

: proper sense 4

made sure the deal was kosher