a hint of celery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hint of celery" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a subtle flavor or aroma of celery in food or drink, often in culinary contexts. Example: "The soup had a rich flavor, with a hint of celery that added depth to the dish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Potato salad, with a hint of celery.

The New York Times - Sports

We started with an amuse bouche of chilled cucumber soup, creamy, light, and minty, with a hint of celery.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Raw and fresh from the ground, they are crisp and bit peppery, with a faint hint of celery.

The New York Times

Its faint scent is literally earthy, with just a hint of regular green stalk celery.

The New York Times - Food

The Celerium, a gin-based cocktail, gets a savory kick from celery and a hint of licorice from a sprinkling of crushed anise seeds.

The New York Times

Very slowly cooked in olive oil, the fish acquires a meltingly soft texture; it is served in slices, crusted with fine flakes of konbu (a form of seaweed), on thin, crunchy slices of marinated celery with a hint of lime.

The New York Times - Travel

It tastes of celery and artichokes, with a hint of licorice.

The New York Times - Food

When I published a list of the best dishes of 2013, I included his taco made with roasted squash, rubbery Oaxacan cheese and a hint of chile and smoky charred tomato, but I could just as well have chosen tacos stuffed with halibut, or celery root or kale.

Los Angeles Times

A hint of flexibility.

The Economist

Without a hint of irony.

The New York Times

Not even a hint of a frost.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing complex flavors, use "a hint of celery" to indicate a subtle, underlying note that enhances the overall taste experience.

Common error

Avoid using "a hint of celery" if the celery flavor is prominent. Use stronger terms like "celery-forward" or "strongly flavored with celery" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hint of celery" functions as a descriptive element, typically modifying a noun (e.g., soup, aroma). It adds detail about the sensory qualities of the described item, indicating a subtle presence of celery flavor or scent. Ludwig AI confirms this usage pattern.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a hint of celery" is used to describe a subtle flavor or aroma reminiscent of celery. Grammatically correct and mostly found in culinary contexts, it suggests that celery is present but not overpowering. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides examples predominantly from News & Media and Wiki sources. While synonyms like "a touch of celery" or "a trace of celery" exist, the choice depends on the desired degree of emphasis. Remember to use this phrase judiciously to accurately reflect the flavor profile you're describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a touch of celery

Replaces "hint" with "touch", indicating a slightly more noticeable presence of celery flavor or aroma.

a trace of celery

Substitutes "hint" with "trace", suggesting an even fainter presence of celery.

a whisper of celery

Uses "whisper" to convey a very subtle and delicate celery flavor.

a suggestion of celery

Replaces "hint" with "suggestion", implying a subtle, almost unnoticeable celery presence.

slight celery flavor

Focuses on the flavor aspect directly, using "slight" to indicate subtlety.

subtle celery aroma

Highlights the aroma instead of flavor, using "subtle" to denote its mildness.

a delicate celery note

Employs "note" to refer to a component of flavor, implying refinement.

a faint celery scent

Shifts focus to scent using "faint" to emphasize the subtlety of the celery aroma.

barely perceptible celery

Uses "barely perceptible" to stress how subtle the celery is.

a soupçon of celery

Borrowing from French, "soupçon" denotes a very small amount or hint.

FAQs

How can I use "a hint of celery" in a sentence?

You can use "a hint of celery" to describe the subtle flavor or aroma in dishes, for example: "The broth had "a hint of celery" which complemented the chicken perfectly".

What's a good alternative to "a hint of celery"?

Alternatives include "a touch of celery", "a trace of celery", or "a whisper of celery", each suggesting varying degrees of subtlety.

Is it appropriate to use "a hint of celery" when describing a strong celery flavor?

No, "a hint of celery" implies a subtle presence. For a more pronounced flavor, use phrases like "celery-flavored" or "with strong celery notes".

Can "a hint of celery" be used to describe scents as well as flavors?

Yes, "a hint of celery" can describe both flavors and scents, implying a subtle celery aroma.