lip-smacking

adjective

lip-smack·​ing ˈlip-ˌsma-kiŋ How to pronounce lip-smacking (audio)
: highly pleasing or appealing to the sense of taste or smell : delicious
a lip-smacking recipe
lip-smacking aromas
But take away the excused absences and all the food they can eat and the students still wouldn't trade their experiences. Nope, not even for a freshly baked batch of those lip-smacking cookies.Ellen Anderson
Pickled cauliflower, baby carrots, beets, and celery (top left) retain their crunch and gain subtle, lip-smacking spice.David Chang
sometimes used figuratively
Thanks to Mr. Stewart, we now know, in lip-smacking detail, how much, where and whom.Michael M. Thomas
lip-smackingly adverb
lip-smackingly good burgers
… batter fried soft shell crab … was a lip-smackingly delicious start … Stuart Minting

Examples of lip-smacking in a Sentence

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.
Medium-bodied, with vibrant, lip-smacking acidity, this is a highly appealing Sauvignon Blanc that is fresh and lively, offering excellent varietal purity and inviting ripeness. Tom Hyland, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 The tender meat, deeply browned, flavorful crust, and of course, the lip-smacking juices all amount to an incredibly satisfying bite. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 15 May 2025 Ready to get your hands on these lip-smacking snacks? Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2025 And, while the South adores its menfolk, those terms especially characterize Southern women, who are known for their creativity—whether in the form of a lip-smacking recipe, warm hospitality, or curating collections to make their house a home. Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2025 Isabey, its Sauvignon Blanc estate, is located near the Aegean Sea, where the salty breeze helps the grapes develop a lip-smacking acidity. Betsy Andrews, Travel + Leisure, 18 Jan. 2025 That said, the switch to USB-C was a great update and the new colors are fierce, with a feisty orange and lip-smacking purple alongside the eye-catching starlight and more demure blue and midnight options. David Phelan, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024 This is a lip-smacking sip marked by deeper southern-clime citrus fruits such and blood orange or Spanish clementines. Lana Bortolot, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024 But of course, the real highlight of eating your way around Sicily is the sheer range and lip-smacking freshness of the seafood. Liam Hess, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lip-smacking was in 1902

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lip-smacking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lip-smacking. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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