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Meaning & use

garlicy

adjective·Everydayinformalrare

Last updated

UK/ˈɡɑːlɪsi/
US/ˈɡɑːrlɪsi/

Meaning

  1. adjectivecomparableinformal

    Tasting or smelling strongly of garlic.

    Grammar: Comparable: a garlicy sauce, a garlicier sauce; the usual spelling is garlicky.

    Patterns

    • garlicy taste
    • garlicy smell

    The pasta sauce was rich and garlicy.

    I do not like going to meetings with garlicy breath.

    The kitchen smelled wonderfully garlicy while the bread baked.

Word forms

comparativegarlicier
superlativegarlicies

Common combinations

garlicy sauce
She served the chicken with a creamy, garlicy sauce.
garlicy smell
A garlicy smell came from the oven.
garlicy bread
We shared a basket of warm, garlicy bread.
garlicy breath
His garlicy breath followed him into the room.

Synonyms and how they differ

garlicky
Garlicky is the standard spelling and the one most dictionaries and writers prefer.
pungent
Pungent means a sharp, strong smell or taste of any kind, so it is broader than garlicy.
strong
Strong describes intensity but does not say what the flavor is.

Opposites

bland

Word family

garlic noun
a strong-smelling bulb used to flavor food
garlicky adjective
standard spelling meaning tasting of garlic
garlic bread noun
bread flavored with garlic and butter

Commonly confused: garlicy or garlicky?

garlicy vs garlicky

Garlicky is the standard spelling of the same word; garlicy is a less common variant.

Practice

Which word best describes a sauce that tastes strongly of garlic?

Make it your own

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