munch

verb

ˈmənch 

munched; munching; munches

transitive verb

: to eat with a chewing action

… many a mouthful is munched in private …

—Washington Irving

also : to snack on

… drank coffee and munched homemade cookies …

—Lady Bird Johnson

intransitive verb

: to eat or chew something

also : snack

—usually used with on

muncher noun

Examples of munch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kids, pregnant people, and other adults can all munch on them without problems. —Jill Schildhouse, Southern Living, 13 June 2026

Rose-breasted grosbeaks eat the seeds, while cedar waxwings munch on the flowers in early spring. —Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026

Snacking can be a mindless affair, like munching on a bag of crispy, salty chips while streaming a favorite series or devouring chocolate chip cookies on the run—treats that appease momentary cravings but leave you wanting more. —Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 23 May 2026

Tommy cozied up between Nana and Papa Bob, munching from a tub of popcorn. —Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 17 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English monchen, probably of imitative origin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for munch

• brunch
• bunch
• chinch
• crunch
• hunch
• lunch
• punch
• keypunch

Kids Definition

munch

verb

ˈmənch 

: to eat with a chewing action

also : to snack on

munched popcorn and watched a movie

muncher noun

Biographical Definition

Munch 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

ˈmᵫnch 

ˈmu̇nch

Charles 1891–1968 Alsatian-born conductor

Munch

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

ˈmu̇ŋk 

Edvard 1863–1944 Norwegian painter