savory applies to both taste and aroma and suggests piquancy and often spiciness.

Savory describes the kind of rich flavor that’s most often associated with foods like meats and roasted vegetables. There are often considered to be five basic taste sensations: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, …

1. Appetizing to the taste or smell: a savory stew. 2. Piquant, pungent, or salty to the taste; not sweet. 3. Morally respectable; inoffensive: a past that was scarcely savory.

Definition of savory adjective in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

If you say that something is not savory, you mean that it is not pleasant or socially acceptable:

Pleasing to the taste or smell; appetizing. Salty or piquant; not sweet. A savory relish. Morally acceptable; respectable. A dish of pungent taste, such as anchovies on toast or pickled fruit, …

Savory, in its essence, describes a taste that is not sweet. It encompasses a range of flavors from salty and umami to earthy and sometimes even slightly bitter, creating a complex and satisfying …

Feb 21, 2026 · Adjective savory (comparative savorier, superlative savoriest) (American spelling) Tasty, attractive to the palate.

Savory flavors can range from herbs like rosemary and thyme to savory sauces and dishes like stews or roasted meats. Additionally, "savory" can refer to something that is delicious, flavorful, and appetizing …

adj. pleasant or agreeable in taste or smell: a savory aroma. piquant: a savory jelly. pleasing, attractive, or agreeable. n. Food [Brit.]an aromatic, often spicy course or dish served either as an appetizer or …