Describing Tastes and Smells: English Vocabulary List

having a sharp, refreshing taste with a slight sourness or acidity

"The sauce is tangy."

"The tangy flavor of the lemon sauce complemented the fish perfectly and the restaurant became famous for this dish among food critics and regular customers."

having a strong, sharp smell or taste that can be overpowering and somewhat unpleasant

"The cheese is pungent."

"The pungent smell of blue cheese is too strong for some people but others find it delicious and enjoy eating it with crackers and fruit."

(of food) having a sharp, strong, and refreshing taste

"The dressing is zesty."

"The zesty salad dressing added a burst of flavor to the boring lettuce and everyone at the table asked for the recipe to make at home."

having a gentle or not very strong effect

"The sauce is mild."

"The mild sauce was perfect for customers who do not like spicy food at all today."

having a sweet, fresh, or juicy taste or smell associated with various types of fruits

"The wine is fruity."

"The wine had a fruity aroma with hints of berries and cherries and it paired very well with the chocolate dessert that the chef had prepared."

having a sweet taste, often resembling or containing sugar

"The cereal is sugary."

"The children loved the sugary cereal for breakfast but their mother preferred to give them oatmeal with fresh fruit because it was much healthier."

having the sweet and rich taste or qualities of honey

"Her voice is honeyed."

"The singer's honeyed voice was so sweet and smooth that the audience sat in complete silence because they did not want to miss a single note."

having an overly sweet flavor

"The drink was syrupy."

"The pancake syrup was too syrupy and thick to pour easily so she had to heat it in the microwave for a few seconds before using it."

enhanced with sweetness

"The tea is sweetened."

"The sweetened yogurt contained too much sugar for her diet so she switched to plain Greek yogurt and added fresh berries instead for natural sweetness."

having a taste or aroma that is sour, tart, or like vinegar

"The pickles are vinegary."

"The vinegary taste of the pickles made her pucker her lips but she still ate three of them because she loved sour foods more than anything else."

having a mild spicy taste like a black pepper

"The steak is peppery."

"The steak had a peppery crust that gave it a spicy kick and it was served with a creamy sauce that balanced the heat perfectly."

having an unpleasant and sharp smell or taste, especially causing a burning sensation

"The smoke is acrid."

"The acrid smoke from the burning plastic filled the room and everyone started coughing and covering their faces with their shirts to breathe more easily."

having a taste or smell that is reminiscent of citrus fruits, like lemons, oranges, or limes

"The drink is citrusy."

"The citrusy scent of the cleaning product reminded her of fresh lemons and she did not mind using it because it smelled much better than harsh chemicals."

having a taste or aroma reminiscent of nuts, often rich, earthy, and slightly sweet

"The bread is nutty."

"The bread had a nutty flavor from the whole wheat flour and sunflower seeds and it was delicious when toasted and spread with butter and honey."

(of food) flavored with spices, herbs, or other ingredients to improve its taste and smell

"The food was seasoned."

"The seasoned steak, infused with garlic and rosemary, offered a rich and complex flavor profile that delighted the palate."

lacking flavor or an interesting taste

"The soup is tasteless."

"The soup was bland and tasteless because the cook forgot to add salt and pepper so everyone added hot sauce to make it more interesting."

(of drinks) having a rich and intense flavor

"The wine is full-bodied."

"The full-bodied red wine had rich flavors of dark fruit and spice and it was the perfect choice to accompany the roasted lamb dinner."

having characteristics of soil or the earth, often associated with flavors such as mushrooms, root vegetables, or certain types of wine

"The flavor is earthy."

"The earthy flavor of the mushrooms paired well with the creamy risotto and the dish reminded her of walking through the forest after a rainy day."

having a pleasant or sweet-smelling aroma

"The flowers are fragrant."

"The fragrant flowers in the garden attracted bees and butterflies and the sweet smell drifted through the open window into the kitchen where she was baking bread."

having a delightful aroma

"The candle is scented."

"The scented candle filled the room with the warm aroma of vanilla and cinnamon and it made the small apartment feel cozy and inviting during the cold winter months."

infused or treated with a fragrance, typically through the application of a scented substance like perfume, to impart a pleasant smell

"The soap is perfumed."

"The perfumed lotion smelled like roses and lavender and she applied it every morning after her shower to keep her skin soft and fragrant throughout the day."

possessing a distinct or recognizable scent, often unpleasant

"The cheese is odorous."

"The odorous cheese was so strong that the delivery man refused to bring it inside the house and he left the package on the front porch instead."

causing or capable of provoking a sensation of disgust or nausea

"The smell is nauseating."

"The nauseating smell of the rotten food made her gag and she had to hold her breath while she threw the entire container into the outside trash bin."

having a pleasant and sweet aroma

"The rose is sweet-smelling."

"The sweet-smelling flowers in the meadow attracted bees and butterflies and the children ran through the field laughing and picking bouquets for their mothers."

having a pleasing smell or fragrance

"The jasmine is sweet-scented."

"The sweet-scented air after the rain reminded her of her grandmother's garden and she felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her as she walked through the park."