Meaning & use
tangy
Last updated
UK/ˈtæŋi/
US/ˈtæŋi/
Meaning
adjectivecomparable
Having a sharp, slightly sour taste or smell that is usually pleasant.
Grammar: Gradable: can be used with 'very' or in the comparative 'tangier'.
Patterns
- tangy taste
- tangy flavor
- taste tangy
The lemonade was refreshingly tangy.
This cheese has a tangy flavor that I love.
The sauce is too tangy for my taste.
Word forms
| comparative | tangier |
|---|---|
| superlative | tangiest |
Common combinations
- tangy flavor
- The dressing has a tangy flavor from vinegar.
- tangy taste
- I enjoy the tangy taste of grapefruit.
- sweet and tangy
- The chicken is sweet and tangy.
Synonyms and how they differ
- tart
- Tart is similar but often stronger and can be less pleasant; tangy usually suggests a pleasant sharpness.
- sour
- Sour often has a negative tone, while tangy is usually positive.
- zesty
- Zesty emphasizes a lively, fresh sharpness, often from citrus.
Opposites
Word family
- tang noun
- A strong, sharp taste or smell.
Commonly confused: tangy or tangible?
tangy vs tangible
Tangible means able to be touched or clearly real; tangy describes a sharp taste.
Practice
The yogurt has a _____ taste because of the lemon.
Choose one answer.
'Tangy' describes a sharp, sour taste. 'Tangent' is a line, 'tangible' means touchable, and 'tangled' means twisted together.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “tangy”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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