salty
Americanadjective
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racy or coarse.
salty humor.
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of the sea, sailing, or life at sea.
salty tales of adventure on the high seas.
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Slang. (especially of a sailor) toughened by experience.
proud and salty Marines.
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Slang. angry, upset, or hostile, especially due to embarrassment or failure.
He gets all salty whenever he loses.
adjective
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of, tasting of, or containing salt
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(esp of humour) sharp; piquant
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relating to life at sea
Usage
What else does salty mean? Salty is a slang term for irritated, angry, or resentful, especially as a result of losing or being slighted. This sense of salty originates in and was popularized by Black English.
Other Word Forms
- oversalty adjective
- saltily adverb
- saltiness noun
- unsalty adjective
Etymology
Origin of salty
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; salt 1, -y 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
If you’re new to salty, spice-infused yogurts yet curious to try them, I have the perfect recipe for you.
From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026
In fact, I prefer my yogurt extra salty over sweet.
From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026
And Mr. Trump has plenty of company, including several presidents, in the department of salty language and impolitic statements.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026
The area lies within a layer of Mount Sharp rich in salty minerals known as sulfates.
From Science Daily • Mar. 14, 2026
Lady Constance had read and reread the society page so many times and dropped so many salty tears upon it, she now had black ink smudges all over her hands and face.
From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
