savory

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "savory" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use "savory" to describe foods that are seasoned with spices and herbs and have a strong, appetizing aroma and flavor, such as roasted meats, vegetables, and cooked grains. For example, "I cooked a savory stir-fry for dinner last night and it was delicious!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Whether you choose 8 or 10 courses for dinner, the final savory one is always diner's choice: a rice dish.

The New York Times - Food

Ezov, the hyssop of the Bible, was historically used in ritual cleansing of lepers but is not Hyssopus officinalis, which is alien to Palestine; it may have been a species of caper or savory.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Quinoa is commonly boiled like rice and can be used in sweet or savory dishes, or ground as a flour to fortify baked goods.

Britannica

There are five accepted Aristotelian sub-modalities of taste salt, acid, sweet, bitter, and savory (umami that are segregated to some extent in different regions of the mouth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sweet, bitter, and savory receptors have special proteins in the membrane that detect appropriate molecules.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Characteristic of the style are the use of seafood and such ingredients as bamboo shoots and mushrooms that are gathered from mountainous areas; light seasonings that bring out the savory character of the ingredients; ingredients that are thinly sliced to enhance their flavour; and soups and broths.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Mexican sour gherkin, or mouse melon (Melothria scabra), is not a true gherkin; it is grown for its tiny savory fruits that superficially resemble watermelons.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Chaat, ( Hindi: "to lick" or "to taste") a traditional savory snack sold by street vendors in India that originated in the country's northern region and is now popular throughout South Asia and at Indian restaurants worldwide.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Social media users have – predictably – enjoyed the snack, quickly labelled the pizza croissant, with some going so far as to call it "a dream"..@Starbucks new pepperoni savory foldover is basically pizza for breakfast #dreamsreallydocometrue #yum The new tomato pepperoni foldover tastes like PIZZA.

Independent

[It's] a savory Sunday dinner of a series, an Anglophilic roast in a sea of Austenish manners-and-mores gravy, garnished with a fateful Dickensian twist that changes, or threatens to change, the fortunes of an entire family".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

An appetizer of frogs' legs in a balsamic-cilantro marinade, with a crunchy salad of red cabbage and pistachios, might spark a where-did-you-have-them-last competition (Chinatown or just outside of Lyon?); they also exemplify the sweet-savory theme in Nounouh's cooking.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "savory" to describe dishes where the primary flavors are salty, spicy, or umami, as opposed to sweet. Pair it with specific flavor descriptors (e.g., "savory and smoky") for a more vivid description.

Common error

Avoid using "savory" as a general term for flavorful. "Savory" implies a specific profile (salty, spicy, umami), while "flavorful" simply means full of flavor. If a dish is sweet, it's flavorful, but not savory.

Linguistic Context

The word "savory" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a particular taste profile that is not sweet. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "savory" describes dishes, snacks, and flavors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "savory" is a versatile adjective primarily used to describe foods with a distinct, non-sweet flavor profile, encompassing salty, spicy, and umami tastes. It's grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in food descriptions. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its common usage across News & Media and Encyclopedias. While often used interchangeably with "flavorful", it's important to note that "savory" denotes a specific taste, whereas "flavorful" is a broader term for any dish full of flavor. Alternatives include "flavorful", "delicious", and "appetizing", each adding a slightly different nuance. To enhance descriptions, pair "savory" with specific flavor descriptors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flavorful

Indicates a dish is full of flavor but doesn't necessarily imply a salty or spicy profile.

delicious

Emphasizes the pleasing taste of the dish, a general term for enjoyable flavors.

appetizing

Focuses on the quality of stimulating the appetite.

palatable

Highlights that the dish is agreeable to the taste, suitable for consumption.

piquant

Suggests a pleasantly sharp or stimulating taste, often involving spices.

umami

Specifically refers to the savory taste associated with glutamates, one of the five basic tastes.

zesty

Implies a lively and exciting flavor, often with a citrusy or spicy note.

tangy

Indicates a sharp, distinct flavor, usually implying a citrus or acidic element.

spiced

Highlights the presence of spices, adding depth and warmth to the flavor.

seasoned

Focuses on the act of adding salt, herbs, or spices to enhance flavor.

FAQs

How can I use "savory" in a sentence?

You can use "savory" to describe foods that are not sweet, such as "This soup has a rich, savory flavor" or to describe something morally acceptable as in "He had a less than savory reputation".

What is the difference between "savory" and "sweet"?

"Savory" describes flavors that are salty, spicy, or umami, while "sweet" describes flavors that are sugary or sugary. They are opposites in the taste spectrum.

What can I say instead of "savory"?

Depending on the context, you can use "flavorful", "delicious", or "appetizing" as alternatives to "savory".

Which is correct, "savory" or "savoury"?

Both "savory" and "savoury" are correct. "Savory" is the more common spelling in American English, while "savoury" is preferred in British English.