savory applies to both taste and aroma and suggests piquancy and often spiciness.

SAVORY meaning: 1 : having a pleasant taste or smell; 2 : having a spicy or salty quality without being sweet

If you say that something is not savory, you mean that it is not pleasant or socially acceptable:

1. Appetizing to the taste or smell: a savory stew. 2. Piquant, pungent, or salty to the taste; not sweet. 3. Morally respectable; inoffensive: a past that was scarcely savory.

Dec 25, 2025 · savory (comparative savorier, superlative savoriest) (American spelling) Tasty, attractive to the palate.

Definition of savory adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

adj. pleasant or agreeable in taste or smell: a savory aroma. piquant: a savory jelly. pleasing, attractive, or agreeable. n. Food [Brit.]an aromatic, often spicy course or dish served either as an appetizer or …