kosher
/ˈkoʊʃɚ/adjective, adverb, verb
kosher is spelled K-O-S-H-E-R: 6 letters and 2 syllables. It appears 1.8 times per million words in written English, the 20,629th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As an adjective, kosher means “Fit for use or consumption, in accordance with Jewish law (especially relating to food)” (English Wiktionary, September 2026).
How many letters and syllables are in kosher?
| Letters | 6: K-O-S-H-E-R |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | 1.8 times per million words; the 20,629th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is kosher?
Kosher appears 1.8 times per million words in written English, the 20,629th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce kosher?
- UK /ˈkəʊʃə/
- US /ˈkoʊʃɚ/
- /ˈkɔʃə(ɹ)/
Kosher has 2 syllables (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: En-au-kosher.ogg, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Forms of kosher
- more kosher comparative
- most kosher superlative
- koshers present, singular, he/she/it
- koshering participle, present
- koshered participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does kosher mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
adjective
- 1
Fit for use or consumption, in accordance with Jewish law (especially relating to food).
Only in New York can you find a good, kosher hamburger!
- 2
Observant of the rules of kashrut (of a person or establishment).
"Are you kosher?" "No, I love to eat scallops."
- 3
In accordance with standards or usual practice.
Is what I have done kosher with Mr. Smith?
adverb
- 1
In a kosher manner; in accordance with kashrut.
verb
- 1
To kasher; to prepare (for example, meat) in conformity with the requirements of the Jewish law.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Kosher in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
In the sense in accordance with Jewish law:
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does kosher come from?
Borrowed from Yiddish כּשר (kosher), from Hebrew כָּשֵׁר (kashér).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).