savory

1
[ sey-vuh-ree ]
See synonyms for: savorysavoriersavoriessavoriness on Thesaurus.com

adjective,more sa·vor·y or (Rare) sa·vor·i·er, most sa·vor·y or (Rare) sa·vor·i·est.
  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.

  1. pleasant or agreeable in taste or smell: Savory aromas fill the air as our friendly staff serves up a variety of rich Southwestern dishes.

  2. pleasing, attractive, or agreeable: The album is a savory blend of jazz and Afrobeat.

noun,plural sa·vor·ies.
  1. British. an aromatic, often spicy course or dish served either as an appetizer or as a dessert, as pickled fish or brandied fruit.

Origin of savory

1
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, -y1
  • Also especially British, sa·vour·y .

synonym study For savory

2, 3. See palatable.

Other words from savory

  • sa·vor·i·ly, adverb
  • sa·vor·i·ness, noun

Words that may be confused with savory

Other definitions for savory (2 of 2)

savory2
[ sey-vuh-ree ]

noun,plural sa·vor·ies.
  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.

Origin of savory

2
First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English saverei(e), saverai(e); probably an alteration (by influence of savory1) of Old French sarree, from Old English sætherie from Latin saturēia

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use savory in a sentence

  • Samosas are spicy, fried savories, with vegetable or meat stuffing.

  • But a 'tea' in the north-country depends for distinction, not on its solids or its savories, but on its sweets.

    Robert Elsmere | Mrs. Humphry Ward
  • Savories, a species of salt fish and cheese sandwich, is served in England hot, about the end of dinner.

    The Complete Bachelor | Walter Germain
  • Savories, on the contrary, are a whet to the appetite and clear the palate for the due appreciation of the dinner.

    Breakfasts and Teas | Paul Pierce
  • The same remarks apply to savories, which last ought always to be highly seasoned, whether hot or cold.

  • Germany offered a restaurant where delicatessen foods and tempting savories were served by Fruleins.

    Patty's Summer Days | Carolyn Wells

British Dictionary definitions for savory

savory

/ (ˈseɪvərɪ) /


nounplural -vories
  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

Origin of savory

1
C14: probably from Old English sætherie, from Latin saturēia, of obscure origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012