adj
savory
SAY-vuh-ree
Savory (adj) means having a rich, appetizing flavour that is salty or spicy rather than sweet. Example: “The pie had a savory filling of mushrooms and cheese.”
adj
1
Having a rich, appetizing flavour that is salty or spicy rather than sweet.
"The pie had a savory filling of mushrooms and cheese."
"She prefers savory breakfasts over sweet ones."
noun
1
A Mediterranean herb used for seasoning, or a savory snack.
"A pinch of savory added depth to the stew."
How to use savory
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes food with a rich, salty or spicy taste, as opposed to sweet.
UK vs US
American spelling is "savory"; British spelling is "savoury."
Easily confused with
savoury
Common pairings
savory dish
sweet or savory
savory snack
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Word forms
- Plural
- savories
- Comparative
- savorier
- Superlative
- savoriest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The pie had a _____ filling of mushrooms and cheese.
Etymology
From Old French savouré, ultimately from Latin sapor, "taste, flavour."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for savory
See all rhymes for savory →Frequently asked questions
What does “savory” mean?
The word “savory” means having a rich, appetizing flavour that is salty or spicy rather than sweet. In plain terms, describes food with a rich, salty or spicy taste, as opposed to sweet.
How do you pronounce “savory”?
“Savory” is pronounced SAY-vuh-ree (/ˈseɪ.və.ɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “savory” in a sentence?
Here is “savory” used in a sentence: “The pie had a savory filling of mushrooms and cheese.”
What part of speech is “savory”?
Depending on how it is used, “savory” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “savory” come from?
The word “savory” comes from Latin. From Old French savouré, ultimately from Latin sapor, "taste, flavour.".
How many meanings does “savory” have?
“Savory” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having a rich, appetizing flavour that is salty or spicy rather than sweet.
