savory

¹ American  

[sey-vuh-ree] / ˈseɪ və ri /

especially British, savoury

adjective

more savory, savorier, most savory, savoriest

1. having a salty, spicy, or piquant flavor; not sweet.

   Plantains, though they look very similar to bananas, can be used in both sweet and savory dishes, as they take on other flavors really well.

2. having or suggesting the flavor of umami.

   A farmhouse cheddar is combined with Italian black truffles for a distinctive earthy, savory flavor.

3. pleasant or agreeable in taste or smell.

   Savory aromas fill the air as our friendly staff serves up a variety of rich Southwestern dishes.

4. pleasing, attractive, or agreeable.

   The album is a savory blend of jazz and Afrobeat.

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noun

plural

savories

1. British. an aromatic, often spicy course or dish served either as an appetizer or as a dessert, as pickled fish or brandied fruit.

savory ² American  

[sey-vuh-ree] / ˈseɪ və ri /

noun

plural

savories

1. any of several aromatic herbs belonging to the genus Satureja, of the mint family, especially S. hortensis summer savory or S. montana winter savory, having narrow leaves used in cooking.

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savory British  

/ ˈseɪvərɪ /

noun

1. any of numerous aromatic plants of the genus Satureja, esp S. montana ( winter savory ) and S. hortensis ( summer savory ), of the Mediterranean region, having narrow leaves and white, pink, or purple flowers: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

2. the leaves of any of these plants, used as a potherb

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Usage

What does savory mean? 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, and savory, or umami. Separately, savory is the name of several kinds of aromatic herbs of the mint family used in cooking, such as ones known as summer savory and winter savory. In the U. K., the word savory is also used to refer to a fragrant and sometimes spicy course or dish. (Such a dish may or may not be described as savory in the popular sense.)Example: That roasted mushroom dish was so savory—it had such a dark, rich flavor.

Related Words

See palatable.

Other Word Forms

• savorily adverb
• savoriness noun

Etymology

Origin of savory¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English savori; replacing Middle English savure, from Old French savoure, past participle of savourer “to savor”; see origin at savor, -y ¹

Origin of savory²

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English saverei(e), saverai(e); probably an alteration (by influence of savory ¹ ( def. ) ) of Old French sarree, from Old English sætherie from Latin saturēia

Explanation

Something savory is full of flavor, delicious and tasty — usually something that someone has cooked. In the world of cuisine, savory is also often used to mean the opposite of sweet, or salty. The easiest way to remember savory is that it rhymes with flavory — which is not a real word, but should be. Interestingly, the word unsavory — which is clearly the opposite of savory — is almost never used to describe food. If some dish doesn't taste good, it, well, isn't good-tasting. If something is unsavory, then it's probably a person or situation that seems morally questionable. So, save savory for delicious food and save unsavory for things, people, and ideas deserving of the adjective.

Example Sentences

Travel is great, and I love patronizing restaurants opened by immigrant chefs who send enticing smells and savory dishes out of their kitchens.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Ultraprocessed foods like soft drinks, bacon and other processed meats, frozen meals, packaged baked goods and packaged savory snacks like chips account for more than 50% of the calories the average American consumes each day.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

Despite explaining multiple times that it was made with coconut, I think half of them still expected a savory, dirt-like potato flavor.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026

That outer seasoning blooms in the heat, forming a savory crust that feels deliberate.

From Salon • Mar. 11, 2026

Magister Ulyrio was a dealer in spices, gemstones, dragonbone, and other, less savory things.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

Related Words

• appetizing
• aromatic
• delectable
• fragrant
• luscious
• mellow
• piquant
• pungent
• spicy
• sweet
• tangy
• tasty
• tempting
• wholesome