English Reference

Word

salty

US/ˈsɔɫti/

UK/sˈɒlti/

Definitions

01tasting of salt

A2 · Elementary

adj. tasting of or containing a lot of salt.

adj. containing, tasting of, or preserved with salt.

“The soup was too salty for me to finish, so I asked for some water.”

“The chef warned that the cured ham was naturally salty and required no additional seasoning before being served with the melon.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

02annoyed or bitter

B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal · Slang

adj. feeling annoyed, angry, or bitter, especially about something that is not very important.

adj. characterised by resentment, irritation, or bitterness, typically following a minor defeat or perceived slight.

“He was still salty about losing the video game even though it was just for fun.”

“She seemed a bit salty after the meeting, likely because her proposal was the only one the committee rejected without discussion.”

Antonyms

03coarse or provocative

C1 · Advanced Informal

adj. using language that is a bit rude, shocking, or funny in a rough way.

adj. referring to language or humour that is coarse, earthy, or mildly provocative.

“The old sailor told some salty stories about his time at sea.”

“The comedian's salty language was a hit with the late-night crowd, though it proved too controversial for the afternoon television slot.”

Antonyms

04experienced sailor

C2 · Proficiency Informal

adj. having a lot of experience, especially as a sailor who has spent years at sea.

adj. possessing significant experience or veteran status, particularly within naval or maritime contexts.

“The salty old captain knew exactly how to handle the ship during the storm.”

“A few salty veterans remained at the shipyard, offering technical advice that the younger engineers had yet to master through formal training.”

Synonyms

experiencedweather-beaten

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “salty” in context.

01. salty water

Real-World Examples

“In Andalusia and the islands tap water can have a slightly salty taste as a lot of it comes from desalinisation plants.”
The Local 26 Aug 2026
“Rahmstorf puts it more simply: "We have this AMOC because it's salty enough in the North Atlantic.”
BBC News 14 Jul 2026

Etymology

PIE word *séh₂ls From Middle English salti, equivalent to salt + -y. Compare Saterland Frisian soaltig (“salty”), West Frisian sâltich (“salty”), Dutch zoutig (“salty”), German Low German soltig (“salty”), German salzig (“salty”). (coarse; irritated, annoyed): Referencing the sharp, 'spicy' flavor of salt. (indignant): Perhaps implying the person is a crybaby, shedding salty tears, or derived from the preceding.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

ADJECTIVE

salty(B2)

Idioms

Domain

Linguistics

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Frequent
Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

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English Reference