kosher
B2Informal, formal (when referring to Jewish law), technical (religion)
Definition
Meaning
Food prepared in accordance with Jewish dietary laws.
Authentic, genuine, legitimate, or correct according to established standards. Often used informally to mean something is proper or acceptable.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a religious term for Jewish dietary compliance; its informal extended meaning is very common in casual English, implying something is 'above board' or legitimate. The figurative use is often slightly humorous or idiomatic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Figurative usage is more common in American English. In British English, it may be more recognisable in its literal religious context, though the informal sense is still understood.
Connotations
In both, the informal use is slightly colloquial or playful. In the US, it's more integrated into mainstream slang.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English, especially in informal contexts and certain business/law enforcement jargon (e.g., 'Is this deal kosher?').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Something] is kosher (with/by [someone]).[Something] is not kosher.to make [something] kosher.to keep [something] kosher.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Everything is kosher.”
- “Is that kosher with you?”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Informally used to ask if a deal or method is legitimate or ethical: 'We need to make sure the financing is kosher.'
Academic
Used in religious studies or anthropology when discussing Jewish law and dietary practices.
Everyday
Most common in its informal figurative sense: 'His explanation didn't sound kosher.'
Technical
Specific to Jewish religious law (Halakha), detailing preparation, ingredients, and supervision.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The community funded a project to kosher the old kitchen for communal use.
American English
- We'll need to have a rabbi kosher the grill before we can use it.
adverb
British English
- Is the meat prepared kosher?
American English
- They run the deli kosher, under strict supervision.
adjective
British English
- They only serve kosher wine at the synagogue event.
- His business practices are not entirely kosher.
American English
- We buy kosher meat from a certified butcher.
- Don't worry, the contract is completely kosher.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I eat kosher food because of my religion.
- This is a kosher restaurant.
- We need to check if the ingredients are kosher.
- Is it kosher to bring your own food?
- The inspector came to certify the factory as kosher.
- Something about his story didn't seem kosher.
- While the investment scheme was technically legal, many questioned whether it was ethically kosher.
- The caterer had to kasher (kosher) all the utensils in a mikveh before the event.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a chef ensuring everything is KO-rect and SURE—hence KO-SURE (kosher)—meaning it's correct and proper.
Conceptual Metaphor
RITUAL PURITY IS LEGITIMACY / CORRECTNESS IS RITUAL COMPLIANCE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'кошерный' (koshérnyy), which is a direct loanword used similarly. The main trap is overusing the English word in formal contexts where 'legitimate' or 'proper' is more appropriate.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'kosher' as a noun for a person (incorrect: 'He is a kosher.'). It's primarily an adjective. Confusing 'kosher salt' (a type of coarse salt) with salt that is religiously certified (it often is, but the term refers to the grain size).
Practice
Quiz
In informal American English, if someone says 'That deal isn't kosher,' they most likely mean:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its primary meaning relates to food prepared under Jewish law, it is very commonly used figuratively to describe anything that is legitimate, proper, or acceptable.
Kosher salt is a coarse-grained salt. Its name comes from its use in the koshering process of drawing blood from meat, not because the salt itself is necessarily certified kosher (though it often is).
Yes, though less common. 'To kosher' (or 'kasher') means to make something compliant with kosher law, e.g., to kosher a kitchen by purifying its utensils.
In religious terms, the opposite is 'treif' or 'non-kosher.' In the informal figurative sense, antonyms include 'shady,' 'illegitimate,' or 'improper.'