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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 notes

In 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

Word forms

savorier comparative, savories plural, savories plural, Savorys plural, savoriest superlative

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The pie had a _____ filling of mushrooms and cheese.

Etymology

From Old French savouré, ultimately from Latin sapor, "taste, flavour."

Origin: Latin

savoury

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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial