unsavory

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

Also spelled unsavoury

US /ʌnˈseɪ.vɚ.i/ UK /ʌnˈseɪ.vər.i/ See IPA manual

Freq #29963

Meanings

1

adj
morally offensive, disreputable, or suggestive of improper conduct

The inquiry exposed several unsavory dealings between officials and contractors.
2

adj
unpleasant or disagreeable, especially in taste, smell, or general character

An unsavory smell rose from the ship's filthy hold.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · morally offensive,... disreputable discreditable shady

2 adj · unpleasant or disagreeable,... distasteful unappetizing unpleasant

Opposites

respectable wholesome appetizing

Word family

Derived forms unsavorilyunsavoriness

Related forms savory distasteful disreputable

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

unsavory reputation
a reputation associated with immoral or disreputable conduct

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From Middle English unsavery, formed from un- 'not' + savory. Its earliest literal senses concerned a lack of pleasant taste or smell; the figurative idea of leaving a bad taste developed into the modern judgment 'morally offensive or disreputable'.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# unsavory

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /ʌnˈseɪ.vɚ.i/
**IPA (UK):** /ʌnˈseɪ.vər.i/
**Frequency rank:** 29963

## Meanings
1. morally offensive, disreputable, or suggestive of improper conduct
2. unpleasant or disagreeable, especially in taste, smell, or general character

## Examples
- The inquiry exposed several unsavory dealings between officials and contractors.
- An unsavory smell rose from the ship's filthy hold.

## Synonyms
- disreputable
- shady
- distasteful
- unpleasant

## Antonyms
- respectable
- wholesome
- appetizing

## Derived Forms
- unsavorily
- unsavoriness

## Related Forms
- savory
- distasteful
- disreputable

## Etymology
From Middle English unsavery, formed from un- 'not' + savory. Its earliest literal senses concerned a lack of pleasant taste or smell; the figurative idea of leaving a bad taste developed into the modern judgment 'morally offensive or disreputable'.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

markdown