Definition

Not allowed or acceptable according to Jewish dietary laws.

Example

The restaurant offers a variety of dishes, but none of them are nonkosher.

Conversation

I heard you tried that new deli downtown.

Yeah, but I found out their meat was nonkosher.

Oh no, that’s disappointing!

I know, right? I should have checked before I went.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Nonkosher → It is formed from "non-" (meaning not) and "kosher" (from Hebrew "kasher", meaning fit or proper). The word "nonkosher" means not fit or proper according to Jewish dietary laws.

Memory Tip

Think of 'non-' meaning not, and 'kosher' meaning fit or proper — so nonkosher refers to something that is not fit according to those dietary rules.

Visually Confused Words