TOEFL® Vocabulary ebook

Burnt is an adjective describing something that has been charred or scorched. It often refers to food that has been cooked too much, resulting in a darkened, sometimes bitter flavor. However, it can also describe any other items or surfaces that have been damaged by fire or excessive heat. The word "burnt" emphasizes the result of burning something, often highlighting the damage or change caused by the heat.

• The toast was burnt and inedible.

• He accidentally burnt his hand on the hot stove.

• The smell of burnt rubber filled the air after the car accident.

Delectable is an adjective that describes something that is very pleasant, delicious, or appealing to the senses. It is often used to describe food that tastes extremely good, but can also refer to anything that is attractive and delightful, such as a piece of music, a performance, or even a scenic view. The word conveys a sense of luxurious pleasure and enjoyment.

• The chef prepared a delectable chocolate dessert that everyone praised.

• The aroma of the freshly baked bread was absolutely delectable.

• Finding a delectable wine to complement the meal took some time, but it was worth the effort.

• She described the view from the mountain top as delectable.

• She described the performance as delectable, captivating the audience from start to finish.

Flavorful describes food that is full of flavor, often implying a pleasing and rich taste. It can be used to describe anything from a simple dish to a complex culinary creation. When a dish is described as flavorful, it means it has a distinct and enjoyable taste that makes it particularly appealing. This adjective is highly favorable in culinary contexts and is often used to compliment the chef's ability to create dishes that are both delicious and aromatic.

• This dish is very flavorful; the spices are perfectly balanced.

• I prefer flavorful coffee with a hint of cinnamon.

• The chef is known for creating flavorful meals that delight the palate.

• This restaurant is known for its flavorful dishes that blend spices from various cultures.

• Adding a pinch of salt and some herbs made the soup more flavorful.

Greasy is an adjective often used to describe objects, surfaces, or foods that are coated with or feel like they are coated with oil or fat. This term is particularly common in contexts related to cooking and automotive work, where oil and grease are frequently encountered. The feeling of greasiness is generally considered unpleasant unless in certain food contexts where it might be associated with richness or flavor.

• These fries are too greasy for my taste.

• I prefer not to eat greasy food before going to bed.

• The burger was delicious but very greasy.

• The burger was too greasy to hold without a napkin.

• I need to wash my hands; they feel greasy after fixing the car.

The word "kick" primarily refers to the act of striking or hitting something with the foot. It is commonly used in sports and various forms of physical activity. Additionally, "kick" can metaphorically mean to add excitement, flavor, or intensity to something. It can also be used in phrases like "kick off" which means to start or begin something, typically an event or process.

• She decided to kick the ball during the soccer game.

• Add some chili to the soup to give it an extra kick.

• He kicked off his shoes and relaxed on the sofa. 

Overcooked food is generally not as nutritious or appealing as properly cooked food. When food is overcooked, it can lose its texture, flavor, and nutritional value. This term is often used in culinary contexts to describe food that has been cooked beyond the optimal point of doneness, resulting in a less desirable culinary experience.

• The steak was overcooked and very tough to chew.

• I prefer my vegetables crisp, not overcooked and mushy.

• Be careful not to leave the cookies in the oven too long; they might get overcooked.

• Be careful not to leave the pasta in boiling water too long; it can get overcooked easily.

Salty is an adjective used to describe a high presence of salt within something, usually food. When something tastes strongly of salt, it is described as salty. This can be in reference to naturally salty foods like seawater or to foods that have had salt added to them for flavor. It's important to balance the saltiness in cooking to enhance flavors without overpowering them.

• The soup is too salty for my taste.

• He prefers salty snacks over sweet ones.

• Be careful when adding salt; it's easy to make the dish too salty. 

Sour as an adjective primarily describes a taste that is akin to that of lemons or vinegar, characterized by acidity. It can also metaphorically describe unpleasant situations or relationships. As a verb, "to sour" refers to the process of becoming sour, either in taste or in terms of becoming less pleasant or agreeable.

• The milk tastes sour; it must have gone bad.

• The milk had gone sour after sitting out on the counter overnight.

• She loves the sour taste of lemons and often adds them to her drinks.

• She gave him a sour look when he arrived late.

• Our relationship turned sour after many disagreements.

Stale is an adjective commonly used to describe food that has lost its freshness, typically bread or other baked goods, but it can also apply to other items like air or ideas. When food becomes stale, it often becomes harder and less pleasant to eat. Similarly, when air is described as stale, it means it has become stuffy and lacks freshness, often needing ventilation. In a metaphorical sense, ideas or jokes can also become stale if they are overused and no longer seem fresh or interesting.

• The bread is stale and hard to chew.

• This room smells stale; we should open a window.

• His jokes are getting stale; I've heard them too many times.
  
   

Tasteless can describe both the lack of physical taste in food and beverages, and the lack of discretion or good judgment in behavior or expressions. When food is described as tasteless, it means it lacks flavor and is not enjoyable to eat. On the other hand, when actions or words are described as tasteless, it implies that they are inappropriate, offensive, or in poor taste, often causing discomfort or displeasure among others.

• The pasta was overcooked and completely tasteless, lacking any seasoning.

• The salad was healthy, but without dressing, it tastes a bit tasteless and unappealing

• The joke he told at the dinner was tasteless and offended many guests.

• I found the soup to be completely tasteless and had to add a lot of salt.

• Many criticized the movie for its tasteless humor and poor plot.
  
  

Unappetizing food not only lacks appeal in its appearance but often also falls short in taste, making it undesirable to eat. This term is frequently used to describe meals or food items that do not stimulate the appetite, either because of their visual presentation, smell, or flavor. It's particularly useful in contexts where the quality of food is being critiqued.

• The food looked old and unappetizing.

• She described the meal as bland and unappetizing.

• The cafeteria's unappetizing menu made many students bring their own lunch. 

Unsavory typically describes something that is unpleasant or morally offensive. It can refer to both taste and character. When used in relation to food, it suggests a bad taste or quality. In terms of personal behavior or reputation, it implies something unethical, distasteful, or offensive. This makes "unsavory" a versatile adjective in describing various negative aspects of things or people.

• The restaurant was closed down after several reports of unsavory meals.

• She found his unsavory reputation to be a major turn-off.
  
  

Yummy is an adjective commonly used to describe food or drinks that taste very good. It is a casual and colloquial term, often used in informal conversations. People might use "yummy" when they want to express that something tastes delicious without using more formal terms like "delicious" or "exquisite." It's especially popular among children and in marketing products aimed at families.

• This cake is really yummy.

• I made some yummy cookies for the party.

• The kids think that grandma's homemade pie is super yummy.

• We had some yummy ice cream at the beach.

• The kids said the spaghetti was yummy.