sugary

Everyday

1. Containing a lot of sugar, or tasting very sweet: sugary drinks, sugary cereal. tree →
2. Too sweet or sentimental in a way that seems false: a sugary smile, a sugary film. tree →

In the lessons

In health lessons, sugary foods and drinks (sweets, fizzy drinks, many juices and cakes) give quick energy but can cause tooth decay and weight problems if eaten often. Bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar and make acid that damages tooth enamel; brushing twice a day and choosing water or milk helps. Food labels show how much sugar is in a product. In stories, a "sugary" voice may hide a trick. Phrases: "sugary drinks", "sugary snacks", "cut down on sugary food", "sugary treats".

Examples

• Sugary drinks are bad for your teeth. tree →
• Have water instead of a sugary drink. tree →
• This cereal is very sugary. tree →
• Sugary snacks are okay sometimes, not every day. tree →
• The witch spoke in a sugary voice to trick Hansel and Gretel. tree →
• Brush your teeth after eating something sugary. tree →
• Check the label to see how sugary a yoghurt is. tree →
• The film was a bit sugary for my taste. tree →

Note

Spelling: sugar + y = sugary. Comparisons: "more sugary" is more common than "sugarier". "Sugary" is not the same as "sweet": some sweet things use sweeteners instead of sugar. In maths problems with labels, "15 g of sugar per 100 g" means 15 out of every 100 grams is sugar.