sugary

/ˈʃʊɡəri/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈʃʊɡəri/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈshu̇-g(ə-)rē/ (ame, mw)

sugary — adjective

  • sugarypositive
  • more sugarycomparative
  • most sugarysuperlative

1. containing sugar or having a noticeably sweet taste because sugar or another swe

1.形容詞A2
釋義

containing sugar or having a noticeably sweet taste because sugar or another sweetener has been added — used especially for food and drinks where the sugar content is noticeable or a concern.

例句

Élise avoids sugary drinks because she is trying to cut down on calories.

collocation: sugary drinks

The cereal tasted so sugary that Lien could not finish the whole bowl.

同義詞
  • sweet

    broader term; can describe natural or added sweetness, usually neutral or positive in tone

  • sugared

    less common; means sugar has been sprinkled or added, often literally

  • syrupy

    suggests a thick, very concentrated sweetness, sometimes in desserts

反義詞
  • sugar-free

    containing no sugar, often using artificial sweeteners instead

  • unsweetened

    having no sugar or sweetener added at all

文法句型

sugary + noun (attributive)

be + sugary (predicative)

用法筆記

Commonly used to describe food and drinks where added sugar is a health concern. The degree of sweetness can be modified: 'too sugary', 'very sugary', 'slightly sugary'.

常見錯誤

❌I don't like sugary fruits like strawberries.
✅I don't like sweet fruits like strawberries.
💡Fruits contain natural sugars; 'sugary' usually implies added sugar or an artificial level of sweetness.
❌This tea is sugary naturally.
✅This tea is naturally sweet.
💡'Sugary' describes the presence of added sugar; 'sweet' works for natural sweetness.

2. used to describe a person's words, behaviour, or a piece of creative work that i

2.形容詞B2
釋義

used to describe a person's words, behaviour, or a piece of creative work that is so packed with sweet emotion and flattery that it comes across as fake and tiresome — like a romance novel with an unrealistically happy ending that leaves readers rolling their eyes.

例句

The movie's sugary ending made Antonia roll her eyes.

pejorative: overly sentimental plot

Ryan grew tired of his colleague's sugary compliments that never seemed genuine.

collocation: sugary compliments

同義詞
  • sentimental

    can be positive or negative; 'sugary' is always negative

  • saccharine

    stronger and more literary than 'sugary', with an even sharper negative tone

  • corny

    suggests something is old-fashioned and unoriginal rather than insincere

  • honeyed

    can be neutral or positive (sweetly flattering); 'sugary' is purely negative

反義詞
  • sincere

    genuine and honest in feeling

  • blunt

    direct and honest, not softened by flattery

文法句型

sugary + noun (attributive)

too + sugary (predicative)

用法筆記

Always negative in tone. Applies to language (compliments, speeches, love letters), media (movies, songs, romance novels), and behavior. Not used for genuine expressions of warmth — the word implies the emotion is fake or overdone.

常見錯誤

❌She gave me a sugary hug when I was sad.' (if the hug was genuine)
✅She gave me a warm hug when I was sad.
💡'Sugary' is insulting; it implies falseness. Use 'warm', 'kind', or 'loving' for genuine affection.