kosher

1 of 5

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 5

verb

koshered; koshering ˈkō-sh(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

: to make kosher

kosher

3 of 5

noun

: the observance of kosher practices

keep kosher

kasher

4 of 5

variant of kosher:1

kasher

5 of 5

transitive verb

ka·​sher

käˈshe(ə)r, 

-eə

variants or kosher

ˈkōshə(r)

-ed/-ing/-s

: to make (meat or utensils) kosher for use according to Jewish law

Examples of kosher in a Sentence

Adjective

Something about this deal is just not kosher.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Mutra, a kosher Israeli spot on 123rd Street, earned a Michelin star last month, while the Ecuadorian restaurant Cotoa was named a Bib Gourmand, a designation that indicates great restaurants with affordable prices. —Connie Ogle june 11, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026

Season the patties generously with kosher salt and black pepper on both sides, pressing the seasoning into the meat. —Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 9 June 2026

Verb

Read on for our guide to kosher salt, including a few of our favorite ways to use this versatile pantry staple. —Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 June 2026

Morton kosher salt, and remaining 3 Tbsp. —Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 June 2026

Noun

The Fiesta is in addition to the food vendors at the games, which will offer a variety of offerings that are inclusive to those who abide by kosher or halal diets, Smith said. —Doha Madani, NBC news, 28 May 2026

Shabtai doesn’t view cooking kosher as an obstacle to great cuisine. —Connie Ogle updated May 28, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Verb, and Noun

Yiddish, from Hebrew kāshēr fit, proper

Transitive verb

kasher from Hebrew kāshēr to make kosher; kosher from Yiddish, noun, kosher, from Hebrew kāshēr kosher, 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

Rhymes for kosher

• gaucher

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