zest

American  

[zest] / zɛst /

noun

1. keen relish; hearty enjoyment; gusto.

2. an agreeable or piquant flavor imparted to something.

3. anything added to impart flavor, enhance one's appreciation, etc.

4. piquancy; interest; charm.

   Synonyms:

   tang, spice

5. liveliness or energy; animating spirit.

6. the peel, especially the thin outer peel, of a citrus fruit used for flavoring.

   lemon zest.

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verb (used with object)

1. to give zest, relish, or piquancy to.

zest British  

/ zɛst /

noun

1. invigorating or keen excitement or enjoyment

   a zest for living

2. added interest, flavour, or charm; piquancy

   her presence gave zest to the occasion

3. something added to give flavour or relish

4. the peel or skin of an orange or lemon, used as flavouring in drinks, etc

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verb

1. (tr) to give flavour, interest, or piquancy to

Other Word Forms

• zestful adjective
• zestfully adverb
• zestfulness noun
• zestless adjective
• zesty adjective

Etymology

Origin of zest

1665–75; < French zest (now zeste ) orange or lemon peel used for flavoring < ?

Example Sentences

It’s also excellent piled onto an everything bagel with a smear of avocado and a little lemon zest—proof that something can be both convenient and genuinely craveable.

From Salon

They cashed in on the zest for artificial-intelligence darlings and other tech stocks.

From The Wall Street Journal

The popularity of the New Year's Eve festivities grew to a point in the 1800s where Edinburgh's streets were packed after midnight, a testament to the already established zest for the occasion.

From BBC

Roasting fruit — berries, peaches, even cranberries tossed with a little honey and citrus zest until jammy — turns smoothies, oatmeal and salads into something celebratory.

From Salon

The butter and cheese coat each strand in glossy, velvety richness, while lemon juice and zest cut through with a clean, almost electric acidity.

From Salon

Related Words

• flavoring
• ginger
• salt
• seasoning
• spice