Explanation at your level:
Savory means food that is not sweet. Think of salty food like chips or pizza. If you like salty snacks, you like savory food!
When you eat, you can have sweet food like cake or savory food like soup. Savory food has salt or spices. It is the opposite of sugar.
Savory is used to describe food that is salty, spicy, or umami. It is a common term in cooking. We often talk about 'savory snacks' like crackers or nuts.
The word savory describes flavors that are not sweet. It is a useful term for food critics or home cooks. Figuratively, it describes something that is morally good or pleasant.
Savory denotes a specific flavor profile—salty, herbal, or umami. In academic or formal writing, it can also describe something that is respectable or socially acceptable, often used in the negative 'unsavory' to describe questionable situations.
Etymologically rooted in the concept of 'savoring' or tasting, the word has evolved from a general term for pleasantness to a specific culinary descriptor. Its use in describing moral character reflects a historical connection between sensory pleasure and ethical goodness, often appearing in literature to suggest a lack of integrity in 'unsavory' individuals.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Savory means salty or spicy.
- It is the opposite of sweet.
- Used to describe food or character.
- Can be spelled 'savoury' in UK.
When you think of savory, think of the delicious, salty, or spicy flavors that make your mouth water during dinner. It is the perfect word to describe anything that isn't a dessert.
Beyond food, savory has a clever second meaning. If someone says a situation is 'not very savory,' they mean it is a bit shady or morally questionable. It is a versatile word that covers both your taste buds and your social judgment!
The word savory comes from the Old French word 'savoure,' which means to taste or smell. It traveled through Middle English as 'savoury,' originally meaning something that was pleasant to the taste or smell.
By the 16th century, the word began to take on its moral connotation. If something was 'savory,' it was considered wholesome and good. Over time, the culinary definition became the most common, while the moral usage often appears in the negative form—'unsavory'—to describe something that lacks character.
You will most often hear savory in the kitchen. Common pairings include savory dishes, savory snacks, and savory pies. It is a standard term used in menus, cookbooks, and food blogs.
When using it to describe character, it is usually used in the negative. You might hear someone say, 'He keeps company with some unsavory characters.' This is a slightly formal, literary way of saying someone is hanging out with dishonest people.
While 'savory' isn't the star of many idioms, its negative counterpart 'unsavory' is quite common. 1. Unsavory character: Someone who is dishonest. 2. Leave a bad taste: Similar to an unsavory experience. 3. Savory reputation: A good, clean name. 4. Unsavory business: A shady deal. 5. Salt of the earth: Related to the savory, grounded nature of good people.
Savory is an adjective, so it usually comes before a noun (e.g., 'a savory snack'). The IPA pronunciation is /ˈseɪvəri/ in both US and UK English. The stress is on the first syllable.
It rhymes with 'bravery' and 'flavory.' Remember that it is a standard adjective and does not have a plural form, though you can use it with adverbs like 'very' or 'quite' to describe the intensity of the flavor.
Fun Fact
The word originally meant 'pleasant to the taste' before it was narrowed down to 'salty'.
Pronunciation Guide
Say-vuh-ree
Say-vuh-ree
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'v'
- Stress on the second syllable
- Adding an extra 'r'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Moderate
Moderate
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjectives
The food is savory.
Comparatives
More savory than sweet.
Articles
A savory meal.
Examples by Level
I like savory snacks.
I like salty snacks.
Adjective usage.
Is the soup savory?
Is the soup salty?
Question form.
I want a savory treat.
I want a salty treat.
Noun phrase.
This pie is savory.
This pie is not sweet.
Subject-verb.
Do you like savory food?
Do you like salty food?
General question.
It is a savory dish.
It is a salty dish.
Article usage.
I prefer savory over sweet.
I like salty more than sweet.
Comparison.
The snack is savory.
The snack is salty.
Simple sentence.
The chef made a savory sauce.
I love savory breakfast foods.
Is this cake savory or sweet?
He prefers savory crackers.
The soup had a savory smell.
We need more savory snacks for the party.
That is a very savory dish.
She cooked a savory meal.
The menu offers many savory options.
I have a craving for something savory.
The herbs give the dish a savory flavor.
He is known for his savory pies.
It is a perfect savory appetizer.
The sauce was rich and savory.
Do you have any savory biscuits?
The dinner was a mix of sweet and savory.
The restaurant specializes in savory pastries.
He avoided the unsavory characters at the bar.
The dish was balanced with savory notes.
They served a savory tart for the main course.
The situation seemed rather unsavory.
Her savory cooking is legendary.
The broth has a deep, savory umami taste.
It was an unsavory end to a great night.
The chef highlighted the savory elements of the mushrooms.
The politician was involved in an unsavory scandal.
The dish provided a complex, savory experience.
She has a reputation for her savory culinary creations.
The unsavory truth was finally revealed.
The sauce was balanced by a savory depth.
The menu featured a variety of savory delicacies.
His past is somewhat unsavory.
The critic praised the savory nuances of the stew.
The unsavory nature of the deal raised concerns.
He possessed a savory, if somewhat reserved, character.
The dish was a masterpiece of savory composition.
The unsavory rumors were quickly dispelled.
The savory aroma filled the entire room.
They engaged in an unsavory debate.
The savory profile of the wine paired well with the meal.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"unsavory character"
a dishonest or bad person
He hangs out with unsavory characters.
neutral"leave a bad taste"
to leave a negative impression
The argument left a bad taste in my mouth.
casual"savory reputation"
a good name
She has a very savory reputation.
formal"unsavory business"
shady activities
They were involved in some unsavory business.
neutral"no savory taste"
lacking flavor or appeal
The meal had no savory taste at all.
casualEasily Confused
Both relate to taste
Flavorful can be sweet or savory
The cake is flavorful.
Similar taste
Salty is just salt; savory is a mix
The soup is salty.
Both describe meatiness
Umami is a specific taste type
This has umami.
Both mean good
Tasty is general
That is tasty.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + savory
The soup is savory.
This + is + a + savory + noun
This is a savory pie.
I + prefer + savory + over + sweet
I prefer savory over sweet.
It + has + a + savory + flavor
It has a savory flavor.
The + noun + is + quite + savory
The dish is quite savory.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Savory is the opposite of sweet.
Not all flavors are savory.
Savory describes food or abstract situations.
Savoury is UK, Savory is US.
Something can be tasty but sweet.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a salt shaker on a dinner plate.
Native Speakers
Use it when describing dinner menus.
Cultural Insight
In the UK, 'savoury' is often a course at the end of a meal.
Grammar Shortcut
It is an adjective, use it before nouns.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'v' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't call a cake savory!
Did You Know?
It comes from the same root as 'savor'.
Study Smart
Group it with 'salty' and 'umami'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Savor the flavor of the salt.
Visual Association
A steaming bowl of soup.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to identify if your next meal is savory or sweet.
Word Origin
Old French
Original meaning: to taste
Cultural Context
None
Commonly used in cooking shows and restaurant menus.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Restaurant
- Is this dish savory?
- I'll have the savory tart.
Cooking
- Add some savory herbs.
- It needs a savory kick.
Grocery Shopping
- Where are the savory snacks?
Dinner Party
- The main course is very savory.
Conversation Starters
"Do you prefer sweet or savory snacks?"
"What is your favorite savory dish?"
"Can you cook savory meals?"
"What is the most savory thing you've eaten?"
"Do you like savory breakfasts?"
Journal Prompts
Describe your favorite savory meal.
Why do you think people like savory food?
Write about a time you had a bad savory experience.
Compare savory and sweet snacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsMostly, but savory also includes herbal and umami notes.
Only in a negative sense (unsavory).
There is a herb called 'savory', but the adjective refers to flavor.
Savory (US) or Savoury (UK).
No, it is sweet.
Sometimes, like for a savory cocktail.
Yes, very common in food contexts.
Sweet.
Test Yourself
I like ___ snacks like chips.
Chips are salty/savory.
Which is a savory food?
Pizza is savory.
Savory food is usually sweet.
Savory is the opposite of sweet.
Word
Meaning
Matching flavors.
This is very savory.
Score: /5
Summary
Savory describes the delicious, non-sweet flavors we love in our main meals.
- Savory means salty or spicy.
- It is the opposite of sweet.
- Used to describe food or character.
- Can be spelled 'savoury' in UK.
Memory Palace
Imagine a salt shaker on a dinner plate.
Native Speakers
Use it when describing dinner menus.
Cultural Insight
In the UK, 'savoury' is often a course at the end of a meal.
Grammar Shortcut
It is an adjective, use it before nouns.
