Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Proper or legitimate: Conforming to accepted rules, standards, or conventions; authentic or genuine.
   • Conforming to Jewish dietary law: Prepared according to the requirements of Jewish religious law (kashrut), which dictates what foods may be eaten and how they must be prepared.

2. Noun:

   • Food that fulfills the requirements of Jewish dietary law: Any food or meal that is prepared and consumed in accordance with the rules of kashrut.

Examples

• Adjective:

  • The deal seemed completely kosher. (The deal appeared to be entirely legitimate.)
  • We bought kosher meat from a certified butcher. (We purchased meat prepared according to Jewish dietary law from a certified butcher.)
  • Is this a kosher kitchen? (Is this a kitchen where food is prepared in accordance with Jewish dietary laws?)

• Noun:

  • The supermarket has a section for kosher. (The supermarket has a section for food that meets Jewish dietary requirements.)

Advanced Usage

• "To make something kosher": To prepare or certify something as conforming to Jewish dietary law.

  • A rabbi came to inspect and make the kitchen kosher. (A rabbi came to inspect and certify the kitchen as compliant with dietary laws.)

• Used informally to mean something is acceptable, correct, or above board.

  • His business practices are not entirely kosher. (His business practices are not completely legitimate or ethical.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kashrut (n): The body of Jewish religious laws concerning the suitability of food, the use of ritual objects, etc. (The system of laws that defines what is kosher.)
• Kosherize (v, informal): To make something kosher.

Synonyms

• Legitimate: Conforming to the law or to rules.
• Proper: Correct according to social or formal standards.
• Certified: Officially recognized as meeting a standard.
• Fit: Suitable for consumption or use (in the dietary sense).

Antonyms

• Non-kosher: Not conforming to Jewish dietary law.
• Treif (or Treyf): A Yiddish term for food that is not kosher.
• Illegitimate: Not authorized by the law or rules.
• Improper: Not in accordance with accepted standards.

Related Phrases

• Kosher salt: A coarse-grained salt without additives, commonly used in cooking and for preparing kosher meat. (Note: The name refers to its use in the koshering process of drawing blood from meat, not that the salt itself is certified kosher, though it typically is.)
• Kosher certification: A formal approval, often symbolized by a mark (hechsher), placed on food products to indicate they have been prepared under rabbinical supervision.

Adjective

1. proper or legitimate
2. conforming to dietary laws
   • kosher meat
   • a kosher kitchen

Noun

1. food that fulfills the requirements of Jewish dietary law