variants
or chiefly British savoury
: having savor: such as
a
: piquantly pleasant to the mind
a savory triumph
b
: morally exemplary : edifying
… scandals don't make very savory reading.—
Green Peyton
Green Peyton
c
: pleasing to the sense of taste or smell especially by reason of effective seasoning
a savory dinner
the savory smells wafting from the kitchen
d
: having a spicy or salty quality without sweetness
an assortment of both sweet and savory appetizers
e
: being, inducing, or marked by the rich or meaty taste sensation of umami
savory flavors
variants
or chiefly British savoury
plural savories or chiefly British savouries
1
: a small serving of food that is spicy or salty but not sweet
Those tempted toward savories can nibble on smoked-salmon or lobster-rémoulade tea sandwiches.—Andy Birsh
Andy Birsh2
: the taste sensation that is produced by several amino acids and nucleotides (such as glutamate and aspartate) and has a rich or meaty flavor characteristic of cheese, cooked meat, mushrooms, soy, and ripe tomatoes : umami
plural savories
Synonyms
Examples of savory in a Sentence
Adjective
They prepared an assortment of both sweet and savory foods.
cedar is one of the most savory of all woods
Recent Examples on the WebAlexandra Paetow Ms Rdn, Parents, 15 Apr. 2024
The cocktails, created by Sam Geller, also skew bright and crisp: a Tequila Verde Highball, grass-green with blended cilantro and slightly savory, or the now infamous Uni Gin Sour, the rare stunt cocktail that actually delivers, drawing out salty sea urchin’s latent, lychee-like sweetness.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2024
Her inquisitiveness led her to delve deep into the recipes and flavors that make this part of France so distinct, including a taste for blending savory and sweet flavors as in the sweet Swiss chard pie, or tourte de blettes sucrée, seen in many traditional Niçoise bakeries.
—Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Then balance the savory elements of this beef taco recipe with a dollop of cool lime crema.
13 of 15
Thai Chicken Tacos
View Recipe
Let there be peace on Earth—or at least around the table—with this boundary-spanning, crowd-pleasing creation.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2024
For those craving other savory options, Joe's Chicken offers chicken sandwiches and pitas, while Flaco's serves up mouthwatering tacos and elotes.
—Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
This vegan version of her baked beans captures the savory, smoky and slightly sweet flavors that define this regional version of the dish.
—Anna Luisa Rodriguez, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
On Sunday, amid a sea of bright yellow Khalistan flags, volunteers kept spirits up among the electorate by passing out sweet and savory snacks and pouring pitchers of hot chai tea.
—Joe Rubin, Sacramento Bee, 2 Apr. 2024
Here’s a mix of sweet and savory rhubarb recipes that highlight the vegetable’s versatility.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
Natalie Preddie, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2023
Traditional English tea service, complete with pastries and savories, is back at Greenfield Village’s Cotswold Cottage.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 3 Aug. 2023
Down 1 Henna, for example 2 Certain sleep-lab test: Abbr.
3
Philosophical principle in some Han-dynasty texts
4
Units of electrical resistance
5
Ceremonial celebration of the savory?
—Aimee Lucido, The New Yorker, 28 July 2023
The Prince of Wales option includes several savories, sweets, and warm homemade scones, while the Le Petit Prince children's tea offers kid-friendly snacks.
—Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2023
In addition to takeaway, dine in at the chef’s counter for a menu of signature tastings, five sweet and one savory, served with champagne.
—Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 6 May 2022
Apples and raisins provide the sweet, while sauteed onions give you the savory.
—USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2022
Adjective
Protein powders are a versatile and convenient way to boost your protein intake, as they can be mixed with just liquids or added to a variety of foods, including smoothies, oatmeal, baked goods, and some mix well into savory foods like soups.
—Alexandra Paetow Ms Rdn, Parents, 15 Apr. 2024
The cocktails, created by Sam Geller, also skew bright and crisp: a Tequila Verde Highball, grass-green with blended cilantro and slightly savory, or the now infamous Uni Gin Sour, the rare stunt cocktail that actually delivers, drawing out salty sea urchin’s latent, lychee-like sweetness.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2024
Her inquisitiveness led her to delve deep into the recipes and flavors that make this part of France so distinct, including a taste for blending savory and sweet flavors as in the sweet Swiss chard pie, or tourte de blettes sucrée, seen in many traditional Niçoise bakeries.
—Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Then balance the savory elements of this beef taco recipe with a dollop of cool lime crema.
13 of 15
Thai Chicken Tacos
View Recipe
Let there be peace on Earth—or at least around the table—with this boundary-spanning, crowd-pleasing creation.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2024
For those craving other savory options, Joe's Chicken offers chicken sandwiches and pitas, while Flaco's serves up mouthwatering tacos and elotes.
—Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
This vegan version of her baked beans captures the savory, smoky and slightly sweet flavors that define this regional version of the dish.
—Anna Luisa Rodriguez, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
On Sunday, amid a sea of bright yellow Khalistan flags, volunteers kept spirits up among the electorate by passing out sweet and savory snacks and pouring pitchers of hot chai tea.
—Joe Rubin, Sacramento Bee, 2 Apr. 2024
Here’s a mix of sweet and savory rhubarb recipes that highlight the vegetable’s versatility.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
Noun
With the kitchen leading the way, this project has allowed Ginger Moon’s mixologists to get creative, combining new flavors, playing with the sweet and the savory.
—Natalie Preddie, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2023
Traditional English tea service, complete with pastries and savories, is back at Greenfield Village’s Cotswold Cottage.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 3 Aug. 2023
Down 1 Henna, for example 2 Certain sleep-lab test: Abbr.
3
Philosophical principle in some Han-dynasty texts
4
Units of electrical resistance
5
Ceremonial celebration of the savory?
—Aimee Lucido, The New Yorker, 28 July 2023
The Prince of Wales option includes several savories, sweets, and warm homemade scones, while the Le Petit Prince children's tea offers kid-friendly snacks.
—Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2023
In addition to takeaway, dine in at the chef’s counter for a menu of signature tastings, five sweet and one savory, served with champagne.
—Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 6 May 2022
Apples and raisins provide the sweet, while sauteed onions give you the savory.
—USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'savory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near savory
Cite this Entry
“Savory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/savory. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
savory
2 of 2 noun
sa·vo·ry
ˈsāv-(ə-)rē
plural savories
: either of two European mints with leaves used in cooking as seasonings
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