not overly sweet

USAGE SUMMARY

"not overly sweet" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has a mild sweetness - for example: "This apple pie is full of flavor, but it's not overly sweet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

The baklava was light and not overly sweet.

The New York Times

Despite its fruit, it was not overly sweet.

The New York Times

Seeded Whole-Wheat Scones: These scones are not overly sweet and have a light, wonderful texture.

The New York Times

For recipes, consider "Perfect Pops," a book with 50 of them, most not overly sweet.

The New York Times - Food

Pad thai, moist and not overly sweet, was also above average.

The New York Times

It was all he promised: crisp and freshly filled with a not overly sweet ricotta cream.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

For this particular recipe, try to stick with something that is sweet but not overly sweet-like Maple or Cinnamon flavored oatmeal.

WikiHow

The tart sweetness of the raspberry topping is the perfect contrast to the cake, which isn't overly sweet.

Huffington Post

Its aromas are of wine and cinnamon – it isn't overly sweet and tastes more fresh and balanced than a lot of other supermarket sangrias".

Vice

Add a touch more Greek yogurt though so it isn't overly sweet.

WikiHow

A mountain of crème chantilly atop layers of delicate, not-overly-sweet meringue, dotted with fresh raspberries.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food or beverages, use "not overly sweet" to indicate a balanced flavor profile that avoids excessive sweetness. This helps convey a sense of sophistication and quality.

Common error

Avoid using "not overly sweet" when you mean something is completely devoid of sweetness. This phrase indicates a moderate, rather than absent, level of sweetness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not overly sweet" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies nouns, typically food or beverages, to indicate a balanced sweetness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not overly sweet" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something with a balanced, moderate sweetness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various sources, especially in News & Media. When writing, use "not overly sweet" to convey a sense of sophistication and quality, indicating that the sweetness doesn't overwhelm other flavors. Be careful not to confuse it with a complete lack of sweetness; instead, consider alternatives like "slightly sweet" or "moderately sweet" for similar but nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not excessively sweet

A formal equivalent, meaning the sweetness is within acceptable bounds without being overwhelming. Original query is less formal.

moderately sweet

Implies a balanced sweetness, where the sweet flavor is present but not overpowering. More direct than original query.

mildly sweet

Highlights a gentle sweetness, suggesting the sweet flavor is delicate and understated. Slightly stronger sweet content than original query.

slightly sweet

Indicates a mild sweetness, suggesting a subtle presence of sweet flavor, slightly stronger sweet content than original query.

subtly sweet

Indicates that the sweetness is not immediately apparent but becomes noticeable upon closer tasting. Highlights how the sweet taste is revealed over time rather than the sweet content itself.

delicately sweet

Emphasizes the refined and subtle nature of the sweetness, implying a sophisticated flavor profile. Introduces elegance and refinement not present in the original query.

lightly sweetened

Focuses on the process of adding sweetness, indicating that only a small amount of sweetener was used. Highlights addition of sweet rather than the final taste.

just sweet enough

Expresses satisfaction with the level of sweetness, suggesting it is perfectly balanced. Expresses satisfaction with sweet content, which is not present in original query.

not too sugary

Specifies that the sweetness doesn't come from sugar only. More specific than the original query.

barely sweet

Highlights the minimal presence of sweetness, suggesting a very faint sweet flavor. Highlights absence of sweet more than the original query.

FAQs

How can I use "not overly sweet" in a sentence?

You can use "not overly sweet" to describe foods, drinks, or even experiences that have a pleasant but moderate level of sweetness. For example, "The dessert was rich and satisfying, but "not overly sweet"."

What are some alternatives to saying "not overly sweet"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "slightly sweet", "moderately sweet", or "mildly sweet".

Is it better to say "not too sweet" or "not overly sweet"?

Both "not too sweet" and "not overly sweet" are acceptable, but "not overly sweet" is often perceived as slightly more formal or refined.

What does it mean when something is described as "not overly sweet"?

It means that the item in question has a noticeable sweetness, but the sweetness is well-balanced and doesn't overwhelm the other flavors or qualities.