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Unsavoury: meaning, definitions and examples

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unsavoury

 

[ ʌnˈseɪvəri ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

character or action

Unsavoury refers to something that is unpleasant, morally offensive, or distasteful in nature. It is often used to describe actions, behaviors, or characteristics that are socially unacceptable or disgusting.

Synonyms

disreputable, distasteful, nasty, unpleasant.

Examples of usage

  • The politician's unsavoury reputation followed him throughout his career.
  • The restaurant was closed down due to its unsavoury hygiene practices.
  • He was known for his unsavoury remarks during the meeting.

Translations

Translations of the word "unsavoury" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desagradável

🇮🇳 अप्रिय

🇩🇪 unappetitlich

🇮🇩 tidak menyenangkan

🇺🇦 нековкий

🇵🇱 niesmaczny

🇯🇵 不快な

🇫🇷 désagréable

🇪🇸 desagradable

🇹🇷 hoşa gitmeyen

🇰🇷 불쾌한

🇸🇦 غير سار

🇨🇿 nepříjemný

🇸🇰 nepríjemný

🇨🇳 不愉快的

🇸🇮 neprijeten

🇮🇸 óþægilegur

🇰🇿 ұнамсыз

🇬🇪 არამეცნიერი

🇦🇿 xoşagəlməz

🇲🇽 desagradable

Etymology

The term 'unsavoury' comes from the combination of the prefix 'un-', meaning 'not', and the word 'savoury', which itself means 'pleasant in taste' or 'having a distinctive flavor that is acceptable or agreeable'. The word 'savoury' is derived from the Latin 'saporem', meaning 'taste' or 'flavor', and has evolved through Old French into Middle English, where 'savoury' characterized something that is appetizing, usually in relation to food. The transformation of its meaning to embody unpleasantness likely arose in the early to mid-19th century, as the term began to describe not only tastes but also moral qualities. The usage of 'unsavoury' in contemporary times often relates to behaviors or elements that society finds objectionable or distasteful, extending well beyond culinary contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,008 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.