savoury

USAGE SUMMARY

'savoury' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe food or flavours that are salty or spicy, as opposed to sweet. For example, "The vegetables were cooked in a savoury sauce that gave the dish a delicious flavour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Searing meat over a high heat will caramelise the outside, adding an injection of savoury, umami goodness to the finished dish; if you just push it round a warm pan, it'll end up tasting as beige as it looks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In principle, you should never cross the forces of sweet and savoury, nor eat your own bodyweight at breakfast.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This may shock you (after all, as Hugh FW has observed, the pancake is essentially the forefather of the Yorkshire pudding), but it is not really a savoury item.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The shots, Rachel explains, represent the five tastes: salty, sweet, acidic, bitter and umami (the savoury note in parmesan, mushrooms, meat stock).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sure, pork has always had its apple, turkey its cranberries, and ham a spoon of chutney, but generally, a savoury dish was exactly that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Use the lard or chicken fat (nature's own MSG) and home-made stock to add intensity and enhance the savoury flavours of a wokful of vegetables.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Pork Farms looks likely to get the final go-ahead to take a bigger slice of the UK's £1bn chilled savoury pastry market after the interim report on its acquisition of the chilled savoury pastries division of Kerry Foods.

The Guardian - Business

Or maybe it's more that I'm drawn to them because they allow ample scope to play with flavours and infusions, both savoury and sweet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My book group, whom I test some of the recipes on, is initially sceptical, but quickly converted – their sweetness is a lovely contrast to the savoury cream.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It can vary massively, can be savoury or sweet but I'd probably say I really enjoy sweets.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A mix of granules and fresh onion, fried until crisp, leaves these bagels mouth-wateringly savoury and deeply aromatic.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "savoury" to accurately describe dishes or flavors that are not sweet, emphasizing their saltiness, spiciness, or umami notes. It's particularly useful when contrasting with sweet flavors.

Common error

Avoid using "savoury" as a generic term for deliciousness. It specifically refers to non-sweet flavors; using it for a sweet dish is incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The word "savoury" primarily functions as an adjective to describe a flavor profile that is not sweet, often characterized by saltiness, spiciness, or umami. As Ludwig AI confirms, "savoury" is appropriate for written English. Examples from Ludwig include describing "savoury pastry" and "savoury granola".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Lifestyle

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "savoury" is a versatile adjective used to describe flavors that are not sweet, encompassing salty, spicy, and umami notes. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It is frequently employed in news, lifestyle, and business contexts, as seen in examples from The Guardian and The Economist. Related terms include "umami", "flavorful", and "rich", each offering subtle variations in meaning. When using "savoury", ensure it accurately reflects a non-sweet flavor profile and avoid misusing it as a general compliment. Its prevalent use across diverse sources underscores its importance in precise culinary and descriptive language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

umami

Focuses specifically on the savory taste derived from glutamates, often associated with meat and mushrooms.

flavorful

Describes food with a rich and enjoyable taste, not necessarily limited to savory notes.

rich

Indicates a deep, satisfying flavor that can be savory, sweet, or fatty.

piquant

Suggests a pleasantly sharp or spicy flavor, adding a zesty quality.

tangy

Describes a sharp, somewhat acidic taste that enlivens the palate.

zesty

Indicates a lively, flavorful quality, often associated with citrus or spices.

spicy

Highlights the presence of heat and aromatic spices in the flavor profile.

herbaceous

Focuses on the fresh, green flavors derived from herbs.

earthy

Suggests a taste reminiscent of soil or mushrooms, providing a grounding flavor.

pungent

Describes a strong, sharp taste or smell that can be either pleasant or unpleasant.

FAQs

How do you use "savoury" in a sentence?

You can use "savoury" to describe a dish or flavor that is salty, spicy, or umami, as opposed to sweet. For example, "The vegetables were cooked in a "savoury" sauce."

What's the difference between "savoury" and "sweet"?

"Savoury" describes flavors that are salty, spicy, or umami, while "sweet" describes flavors that are sugary or sugary. They are often used to contrast different taste profiles in food.

What can I say instead of "savoury"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "umami", "flavorful", or "rich" to describe the non-sweet taste of a dish.

Is "savoury" the same as "delicious"?

No, "savoury" refers to a specific type of flavor profile that is not sweet, whereas "delicious" is a general term for something that tastes good, regardless of its specific flavor profile.