How Do You Spell UNSAVORY?

Pronunciation: [ʌnsˈe͡ɪvəɹˌi] (IPA)

The correct spelling of "unsavory" is often a source of confusion. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /ʌnˈseɪvəri/. The initial "un-" prefix signifies the opposite of "savory", while the first syllable is pronounced with a short "u" sound. The "s" and "v" sounds in the middle of the word are followed by a silent "o" and a long "o" sound, respectively. The final syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound. Overall, "unsavory" means distasteful or unpleasant.

UNSAVORY Meaning and Definition

  1. Unsavory is an adjective that describes something or someone as distasteful, disagreeable, or morally objectionable. This term is often used to convey a negative judgment or perception of a person, event, situation, or behavior.

    In its literal sense, unsavory refers to the absence of palatability or undesirable taste, such as spoiled or rotten food. However, this term is more commonly employed in a figurative sense to describe something that is socially or morally offensive.

    When applied to individuals, unsavory characterizes someone who displays questionable ethics, conducts themselves in an untrustworthy or dishonest manner, or engages in inappropriate behavior. It can also describe a person who is unattractive in appearance or demeanor.

    Unsavory can also be used to describe situations or events that are unsatisfactory or unpleasant. This may include circumstances that are morally dubious, socially unacceptable, or morally reprehensible.

    In summary, unsavory is a descriptive term that denotes distastefulness, disagreeableness, or moral objectionability. It is frequently employed to criticize individuals, actions, or scenarios that are considered unsavory in terms of ethics, behavior, or overall goodness, suggesting a lack of integrity or moral uprightness.

Common Misspellings for UNSAVORY

Etymology of UNSAVORY

The word "unsavory" traces its origins to Middle English, around the late 14th century. It comes from the combination of the prefix "un-" (meaning "not") and the word "savory".

The term "savory" initially referred to something tasty or flavorful, particularly in relation to food. It derived from the Old French word "savouré", which meant "flavored" or "seasoned". This Old French word, in turn, came from the Latin word "saporatus", meaning "to have flavor".

Over time, the meaning of "savory" expanded beyond its culinary origins to describe something morally or socially agreeable. Thus, the addition of the "un-" prefix created the word "unsavory", which denotes something distasteful, unpleasant, or socially undesirable.

Similar spelling words for UNSAVORY

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