# saliva

/səˈɫaɪvə/ (US) · /sɐlˈaɪvɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/saliva
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. mouth liquid

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the clear liquid that your mouth makes to keep it wet and help you eat.

For teachers: the clear, slightly alkaline liquid secreted into the mouth by salivary glands, consisting of water, mucin, and enzymes.

- The smell of fresh bread made his mouth fill with saliva.
- Saliva contains the enzyme amylase, which begins the process of breaking down complex carbohydrates into simpler sugars during chewing.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the substance generally; countable in specific medical or forensic contexts.

## Examples

- The smell of fresh bread made his mouth fill with saliva.
- The doctor took a sample of her saliva to test for certain hormones and health markers.
- In many mammals, saliva contains specific enzymes like amylase that begin the chemical breakdown of food before it even reaches the stomach.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.