slightly sweet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly sweet" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a taste or flavor that has a mild sweetness, often in the context of food or beverages. Example: "The dessert was perfectly balanced, with a slightly sweet flavor that complemented the tartness of the fruit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Bitter with a slightly sweet undertone.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The rice was slightly sweet and agreeably chewy.

The New York Times

It's light, delicate even, slightly sweet, with a backbeat.

The New York Times - Food

The corn bread, slightly sweet and cakelike, sparked a debate.

The New York Times

It was slightly sweet, firm but delicate, and utterly unadorned.

The New York Times

Squid doesn't taste of anything beyond being slightly sweet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The slightly sweet fragrance of game filled the kitchen.

The New Yorker

The crust was chewy and slightly sweet, the filling delicious.

The New York Times - Travel

It is slightly sweet, so cut back on the sugar.

The New York Times - Food

Slightly sweet, fairly pleasant, oaty, a bit powdery, but fine.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It should be hot, sour, slightly sweet and salty.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food or beverages, use "slightly sweet" to convey a balanced flavor profile where sweetness is present but not dominant. This adds nuance and precision to your descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly sweet" to describe non-food items or situations where the quality of sweetness is irrelevant. For example, describing a personality or a color as "slightly sweet" would be unconventional and potentially confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly sweet" functions primarily as an adjective phrase used to modify nouns, typically describing the flavor or aroma of food and beverages. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable descriptor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly sweet" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe a mild sweetness in food, beverages, and other contexts where taste and smell are relevant. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate and well-established in various sources. It’s important to reserve it for contexts where describing the flavor profile is pertinent. While the phrase is versatile, overuse in unsuitable contexts should be avoided. Alternatives such as "mildly sweet", "subtly sweet", and "faintly sweet" can add variety to your descriptions. Its frequency and presence across reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscore its reliability and usefulness in descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modestly sweet

Emphasizes a restrained level of sweetness, implying a subtle quality.

mildly sweet

Highlights the gentle and delicate nature of the sweetness.

subtly sweet

Focuses on the understated and delicate quality of sweetness.

delicately sweet

Suggests a refined and elegant sweetness.

faintly sweet

Highlights the barely perceptible level of sweetness.

gently sweet

Implies a smooth and pleasant sweetness.

lightly sweet

Indicates a minimal amount of added sugar or inherent sweetness.

somewhat sweet

Indicates a degree of sweetness that is noticeable but not overpowering.

a touch of sweetness

Implies a very small quantity of sweet flavor.

barely sweet

Emphasizes the minimal sweetness, almost unnoticeable.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly sweet" in a sentence?

"Slightly sweet" is used to describe a flavor or aroma that has a mild sweetness. For instance, "The sauce had a "slightly sweet" taste, balancing the spice perfectly."

What are some alternatives to "slightly sweet"?

You can use alternatives such as "mildly sweet", "subtly sweet", or "faintly sweet" to describe something that has a low level of sweetness.

Is it appropriate to describe non-food items as "slightly sweet"?

While "slightly sweet" is primarily used for describing flavors and aromas, using it for non-food items is generally uncommon and may not be well-understood. It is best to reserve this phrase for describing tastes and smells.

What's the difference between "slightly sweet" and "very sweet"?

"Slightly sweet" indicates a low level of sweetness, whereas "very sweet" indicates a high level of sweetness. The former suggests a subtle sweetness, while the latter indicates a strong, prominent sweetness.