Unsavoury
adjective
Unpleasant, disagreeable or disgusting to taste or smell.
He left the food untouched due to its unsavoury taste and odour
Often appears as...
- unsavoury taste
- unsavoury odour
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Morally repugnant, objectionable or unacceptable.
He was involved in some unsavoury activities, causing him to lose his job
Often appears as...
- unsavoury character
- unsavoury activities
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Unpleasant, disagreeable or disgusting to taste or smell.
He left the food untouched due to its unsavoury taste and odour
Often appears as...
- unsavoury taste
- unsavoury odour
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Morally repugnant, objectionable or unacceptable.
He was involved in some unsavoury activities, causing him to lose his job
Often appears as...
- unsavoury character
- unsavoury activities
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Sensation
Use 'unsavoury' to describe food or smells that make you feel disgusted or sick.
The unsavoury aroma from the trash can made me gag.
Pro Tip 2/3Intensity Varies
'Unsavoury' can range from slightly unpleasant to extremely offensive, depending on what you're describing.
The soup had a slightly unsavoury taste, like it was starting to spoil.
Pro Tip 3/3Physical Reaction
People often use 'unsavoury' when something affects them physically, like bad taste causing a grimace.
He made a face at the unsavoury smell coming from the fridge.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Sensation
Use 'unsavoury' to describe food or smells that make you feel disgusted or sick.
The unsavoury aroma from the trash can made me gag.
Pro Tip 2/3Intensity Varies
'Unsavoury' can range from slightly unpleasant to extremely offensive, depending on what you're describing.
The soup had a slightly unsavoury taste, like it was starting to spoil.
Pro Tip 3/3Physical Reaction
People often use 'unsavoury' when something affects them physically, like bad taste causing a grimace.
He made a face at the unsavoury smell coming from the fridge.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Sensation
Use 'unsavoury' to describe food or smells that make you feel disgusted or sick.
The unsavoury aroma from the trash can made me gag.
Pro Tip 2/3Intensity Varies
'Unsavoury' can range from slightly unpleasant to extremely offensive, depending on what you're describing.
The soup had a slightly unsavoury taste, like it was starting to spoil.
Pro Tip 3/3Physical Reaction
People often use 'unsavoury' when something affects them physically, like bad taste causing a grimace.
He made a face at the unsavoury smell coming from the fridge.
Compare with
disagreeabledisgustdistastefulobjectionableoffensivepleasantrepugnantrevolt
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Quote examples
Barry Humphries
Australian Comedian
I never thought that I would become a staple in the Australian cultural diet. The equivalent of bread or milk, or a fine old Tasmanian Mauve Vein. I think it's because I talk about things that people dare not mention. I don't mean raunchy things or unsavoury things. I call a spade a spade - I discuss things in a realistic manner.
Quote examples
Steve Backshall
The flesh-eating cockroaches and venomous centipedes in the Gomantong cave in Borneo were pretty unsavoury. They turn the floor of the cave, which is itself the world's largest pile of bird and bat poo, into a seething mass of invertebrate horror!
Quote examples
Josh Hartnett
Actor
If I was painting or writing, I wouldn't veer away from things because they seemed unsavoury to me. So as an actor, I kind of think the same way. I should do things that are different and interesting and shed light on the craziness of the world.
Quote examples
Rosa Salazar
Canadian Actress
Everything was an escape for me when I was younger. I had a tumultuous home life thanks to the unsavoury characters my mom would marry. My brother just sort of evaded, and my dad lived far away, so I was left alone.
Quote examples
Bethany McLean
American Editor
Before Enron, I think people were a bit more naive about the way things worked, and I think Enron pulled the curtain back on unsavoury practices that turned out to be a lot more widespread.
Quote examples
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
American Actress
Some stars like to hide behind the whole idea of acting. But really good actors are not hiding at all. They're not afraid to be disliked, to be a little unsavoury.
Quote examples
Claire Fox
British Writer
Sloganeering and name-calling have been some of the most unsavoury aspects of Leave/Remain conflicts over the past few years.
Quote examples
Haley Joel Osment
American Actor
It's kind of comfortable portraying characters who are kind of unsavoury and not so nice. That can be refreshing sometimes.
Quote examples
Barry Humphries
Australian Comedian
I never thought that I would become a staple in the Australian cultural diet. The equivalent of bread or milk, or a fine old Tasmanian Mauve Vein. I think it's because I talk about things that people dare not mention. I don't mean raunchy things or unsavoury things. I call a spade a spade - I discuss things in a realistic manner.
Quote examples
Steve Backshall
The flesh-eating cockroaches and venomous centipedes in the Gomantong cave in Borneo were pretty unsavoury. They turn the floor of the cave, which is itself the world's largest pile of bird and bat poo, into a seething mass of invertebrate horror!
Quote examples
Josh Hartnett
Actor
If I was painting or writing, I wouldn't veer away from things because they seemed unsavoury to me. So as an actor, I kind of think the same way. I should do things that are different and interesting and shed light on the craziness of the world.
Quote examples
Rosa Salazar
Canadian Actress
Everything was an escape for me when I was younger. I had a tumultuous home life thanks to the unsavoury characters my mom would marry. My brother just sort of evaded, and my dad lived far away, so I was left alone.
Quote examples
Bethany McLean
American Editor
Before Enron, I think people were a bit more naive about the way things worked, and I think Enron pulled the curtain back on unsavoury practices that turned out to be a lot more widespread.
Quote examples
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
American Actress
Some stars like to hide behind the whole idea of acting. But really good actors are not hiding at all. They're not afraid to be disliked, to be a little unsavoury.
Quote examples
Claire Fox
British Writer
Sloganeering and name-calling have been some of the most unsavoury aspects of Leave/Remain conflicts over the past few years.
Quote examples
Haley Joel Osment
American Actor
It's kind of comfortable portraying characters who are kind of unsavoury and not so nice. That can be refreshing sometimes.
Example 1 of 8
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