salty

[sawl-tee]

adjective

saltier, saltiest 

1. tasting of or containing salt; saline.

2. piquant; sharp; witty.

3. racy or coarse.

   salty humor.

4. of the sea, sailing, or life at sea.

   salty tales of adventure on the high seas.

5. Slang.,  (especially of a sailor) toughened by experience.

   proud and salty Marines.

6. Slang.,  angry, upset, or hostile, especially due to embarrassment or failure.

   He gets all salty whenever he loses.

salty

/ ˈsɔːltɪ /

adjective

1. of, tasting of, or containing salt

2. (esp of humour) sharp; piquant

3. relating to life at sea

Other Word Forms

• saltily adverb
• saltiness noun
• oversalty adjective
• unsalty adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of salty¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; salt ¹, -y ¹

Example Sentences

Or it could simply be more evidence that New Yorkers are saltier than average sports fans.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Electroflow uses battery cathodes to capture lithium ions directly from salty water.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

It’s a perfect place to train for a race because it’s like a giant, salty outdoor swimming pool, 5 to 10 degrees warmer than the ocean, long, narrow and safe.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"I was found to be inappropriate in my professionalism," he said, "and that has to do with the use of salty language and my use of social media."

Read more on BBC

The mix of creamy, salty, and bright flavors hits like summer on a plate.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• alkaline 
• briny 
• pungent 
• saline 
• salted 
• sour 

When To Use

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.