savory
1 of 3adjective
sa·vory ˈsā-və-rē 
ˈsāv-rē
variants or chiefly British savoury
: having savor: such as
a
: piquantly pleasant to the mind
a savory triumph
b
: morally exemplary : edifying
… scandals don't make very savory reading.
Green Peyton
Green Peyton c
: pleasing to the sense of taste or smell especially by reason of effective seasoning
a savory dinner
the savory smells wafting from the kitchen
d
: having a spicy or salty quality without sweetness
an assortment of both sweet and savory appetizers
e
: being, inducing, or marked by the rich or meaty taste sensation of umami
savory flavors
savorily
ˈsā-və-rə-lē
adverb savoriness
ˈsā-və-rē-nəs
noun savory
2 of 3noun (1)
variants or chiefly British savoury
plural savories or chiefly British savouries
1
: a small serving of food that is spicy or salty but not sweet
Those tempted toward savories can nibble on smoked-salmon or lobster-rémoulade tea sandwiches. Andy Birsh
Andy Birsh2
: the taste sensation that is produced by several amino acids and nucleotides (such as glutamate and aspartate) and has a rich or meaty flavor characteristic of cheese, cooked meat, mushrooms, soy, and ripe tomatoes : umami
savory
3 of 3noun (2)
sa·vo·ry ˈsā-və-rē
ˈsāv-rē
plural savories
: either of two aromatic mints:
a
: summer savory
b
: winter savory
Synonyms
Adjective
- ambrosial
- aromatic
- fragrant
- perfumed
- redolent
- scented
- sweet
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective They prepared an assortment of both sweet and savory foods. cedar is one of the most savory of all woods
Word History
Etymology
Noun (2)
Middle English saverey
First Known Use
Adjective
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun (1)
1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing savory
Kids Definition
savory
adjective
sa·vo·ry ˈsā-və-rē
: pleasing to the taste or smell
savory sausages
savory 1 of 2
adjective
variants also savoury
1
as in aromatic
having a pleasant smell cedar is one of the most savory of all woods Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- aromatic
- fragrant
- spicy
- sweet
- scented
- perfumed
- ambrosial
- redolent
- fruity
- pungent
- flowery
- odorous
- odoriferous
- fresh
- pure
- odiferous
- odored
- clean
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- strong
- stinky
- malodorous
- putrid
- fetid
- smelly
- foul
- stinking
- rancid
- noisome
- reeking
- odorless
- reeky
- rank
- skunky
- unscented
- stenchy
- stale
- stenchful
- musty
- fusty
- gamy
- gamey
2
as in delicious
very pleasing to the sense of taste a savory beef stew that really hit the spot Synonyms & Similar Words
- delicious
- flavorful
- tasty
- delectable
- succulent
- yummy
- appetizing
- scrumptious
- heavenly
- mouthwatering
- luscious
- tasteful
- dainty
- flavorsome
- toothsome
- palatable
- delish
- lush
- delightful
- ambrosial
- edible
- toothy
- delicate
- satisfying
- pleasant
- digestible
- rare
- pleasing
- eatable
- agreeable
- gratifying
- exquisite
- choice
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unsavory
- tasteless
- unpalatable
- insipid
- flat
- stale
- unappetizing
- banal
- flavorless
- boring
- distasteful
- tedious
- stinky
- noxious
- commonplace
- smelly
- unwholesome
- yucky
- unpleasant
- noisome
- disagreeable
- repulsive
- disgusting
- detestable
- yukky
- miserable
- offensive
- wretched
- repugnant
- sickening
- nauseating
- awful
- horrid
- foul
- repellent
- abhorrent
- abominable
- repellant
3
as in satisfying
giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses having to fire someone was not a task that the manager found at all savory Synonyms & Similar Words
- satisfying
- pleasing
- welcome
- delicious
- enjoyable
- sweet
- tasty
- nice
- delightful
- delectable
- good
- desirable
- luscious
- blessed
- pleasant
- entertaining
- dreamy
- amusing
- heavenly
- darling
- felicitous
- agreeable
- congenial
- dulcet
- pretty
- jolly
- palatable
- gratifying
- pleasurable
- tempting
- grateful
- comforting
- happy
- delightsome
- attractive
- charming
- alluring
- enchanting
- inviting
- fascinating
- blest
- comfortable
- cheerful
- soothing
- relishable
- enviable
- hospitable
- blissful
- calming
- amiable
- personable
- intoxicating
- joyous
- cheery
- gracious
- recreative
- diverting
- affable
- kindly
- goodly
- exhilarating
- genial
- rapturous
- euphoric
- good-natured
- felicific
- glad
- ecstatic
- elating
- gemütlich
- nirvanic
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unpleasant
- disagreeable
- unpalatable
- unsavory
- unwelcome
- repulsive
- disgusting
- vile
- obnoxious
- offensive
- ghastly
- detestable
- repugnant
- horrid
- miserable
- hellish
- abominable
- bilious
- wretched
- boring
- distasteful
- odious
- insipid
- repellent
- flat
- hateful
- tedious
- yucky
- stale
- abhorrent
- dull
- tragic
- sad
- irksome
- revulsive
- sorrowful
- commonplace
- mournful
- dissatisfying
- gloomy
- unhappy
- depressing
- doleful
- lachrymose
- pleasureless
- irritating
- hostile
- dismal
- dreary
- vexing
- exasperating
- annoying
- tragical
- lugubrious
- aggravating
- displeasing
- repellant
- heartbreaking
- deplorable
- joyless
- regrettable
- lamentable
- god-awful
- disheartening
- perturbing
- dolorous
- yukky
- disturbing
- heartrending
- intimidating
- forbidding
- maddening
- infuriating
- distressing
- upsetting
- peeving
- enflaming
- enraging
- incensing
- inflaming
- riling
- rankling
- angering
- outraging
4
as in spicy
sharp and pleasantly stimulating to the mind or senses a savory new book on a subject that seemingly had been done to death Synonyms & Similar Words
- delicious
- spicy
- salty
- piquant
- zesty
- pungent
- exciting
- poignant
- fascinating
- zingy
- intriguing
- interesting
- peppery
- pert
- fiery
- provocative
- flavorful
- tasty
- delectable
- scrumptious
- gingery
- appetizing
- toothsome
- vinegary
- invigorating
- acute
- energizing
- luscious
- hot
- racy
- bitter
- enlightening
- absorbing
- provoking
- ambrosial
- trenchant
- gripping
- biting
- riveting
- palatable
- cutting
- galvanizing
- mordant
- engrossing
- engaging
- enthralling
- animating
- arresting
- savorous
- keen
- piquing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- insipid
- tasteless
- dry
- flat
- flavorless
- zestless
- predictable
- banal
- boring
- arid
- uninteresting
- tedious
- flat
- stale
- colorless
- bland
- pedestrian
- monotonous
- thin
- barren
- savorless
- drab
- weak
- dull
- stodgy
- leaden
- ponderous
- humdrum
- watery
- wearisome
- dreary
- tiring
- numbing
- dilute
- wearying
savory
2 of 2noun
as in spice
Synonyms & Similar Words
- spice
- herb
- flavoring
- seasoning
- condiment
- sauce
- relish
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of savory are appetizing, palatable, tasty, and toothsome. While all these words mean "agreeable or pleasant especially to the sense of taste," savory applies to both taste and aroma and suggests piquancy and often spiciness.
dumplings with savory fillings
While in some cases nearly identical to savory, appetizing suggests a whetting of the appetite and applies to aroma and appearance as well as taste.
appetizing hors d'oeuvres
While the synonyms palatable and savory are close in meaning, palatable often applies to something that is found to be merely agreeable.
butterflies that birds find palatable
The words tasty and savory can be used in similar contexts, but tasty implies a pronounced taste.
a tart and tasty pie
The meanings of toothsome and savory largely overlap; however, toothsome stresses the notion of agreeableness and sometimes implies tenderness or daintiness.
an enticing array of toothsome desserts