peckish

This term describes a mild state of hunger that is more of a craving or a desire for a snack than a physical necessity for a full meal. It carries a lighthearted, casual tone and is frequently used in British English to express a gentle appetite.

Because it denotes a slight feeling, it is often paired with modifiers like "a bit" or "slightly" to soften the claim of hunger. It avoids the urgency or intensity associated with words like starving or famished.