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 WebElin McCoy, Fortune Europe, 11 May 2024
Serving tip This robust, savory chutney has just a hint of cardamom flavor.
—Colleen Weeden, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2024
The spices provide a rich, savory flavor for a satisfying meatless entrée.
—Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 4 May 2024
The granola is homemade, with an oat and buckwheat base, plus pumpkin seeds, walnuts, olive oil, maple syrup, and other ingredients that vary, and leans savory with fennel, cardamom, and ginger as spices.
—Bon Appétit, 3 May 2024
Most likely an evolution from savory mousses made with fish or meat, the first recipe for chocolate mousse came about in the 18th century, with the dessert gaining popularity in the 19th and 20th centuries.
—Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 3 May 2024
Dwayne Johnson might treat you to your next batch of the savory dip in honor of his birthday.
—Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 2 May 2024
Spring fruits like apricots, strawberries, and rhubarb infuse a vibrant sweetness to desserts and savory items alike.
—Kara Peeler, Sunset Magazine, 1 May 2024
There are fresh Pacific oysters with ponzu and yuzu tobiko ($11 for three) and the savory Japanese custard chawanmushi ($8).
—John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 1 May 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
Château Pontet-Canet ($91) The vivid aroma of peonies and exceptionally pure, deep, savory flavors of blueberry fruit, mint and fennel really stand out.
—Elin McCoy, Fortune Europe, 11 May 2024
Serving tip This robust, savory chutney has just a hint of cardamom flavor.
—Colleen Weeden, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2024
The spices provide a rich, savory flavor for a satisfying meatless entrée.
—Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 4 May 2024
The granola is homemade, with an oat and buckwheat base, plus pumpkin seeds, walnuts, olive oil, maple syrup, and other ingredients that vary, and leans savory with fennel, cardamom, and ginger as spices.
—Bon Appétit, 3 May 2024
Most likely an evolution from savory mousses made with fish or meat, the first recipe for chocolate mousse came about in the 18th century, with the dessert gaining popularity in the 19th and 20th centuries.
—Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 3 May 2024
Dwayne Johnson might treat you to your next batch of the savory dip in honor of his birthday.
—Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 2 May 2024
Spring fruits like apricots, strawberries, and rhubarb infuse a vibrant sweetness to desserts and savory items alike.
—Kara Peeler, Sunset Magazine, 1 May 2024
There are fresh Pacific oysters with ponzu and yuzu tobiko ($11 for three) and the savory Japanese custard chawanmushi ($8).
—John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 1 May 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 14 May. 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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