savor

American  

[sey-ver] / ˈseɪ vər /

especially British, savour

noun

1. the quality in a substance that affects the sense of taste or of smell.

   Synonyms:

   fragrance, scent, odor, smack, relish

2. a particular taste or smell.

3. distinctive quality or property.

4. power to excite or interest.

5. Archaic. repute.

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verb (used without object)

1. to have savor, taste, or odor.

2. to exhibit the peculiar characteristics; smack (often followed byof ).

   His business practices savor of greed.

verb (used with object)

1. to give a savor to; season; flavor.

2. to perceive by taste or smell, especially with relish.

   to savor the garden's odors.

3. to give oneself to the enjoyment of.

   to savor the best in life.

Spelling

See -or ¹.

Related Words

See taste.

Other Word Forms

• outsavor verb (used with object)
• savorer noun
• savoringly adverb
• savorless adjective
• savorous adjective
• unsavored adjective

Etymology

Origin of savor

First recorded in 1175–1225; (noun) Middle English sav(o)ur, from Old French savour, from Latin sapōrem, accusative of sapor “taste,” derivative of sapere “to taste” ( sapient ); (verb) Middle English sav(o)uren, from Old French savourer, from Late Latin sapōrāre, derivative of sapor

Example Sentences

This doesn’t necessarily mean that Tehran will soon be savoring a tasty TACO-fest.

From The Wall Street Journal

As I look back on my fondest memories savoring raita, I’m reminded less of its nutritional benefits and more of its taste.

From Salon

I savored the beautiful aroma of fresh eggs bathed in spices.

From Salon

And for a moment, Venezuelans savored a sense of triumph that cut through the turmoil in their homeland.

From The Wall Street Journal

Yet he also savored the moment, and hinted that he might enjoy the adulation of Chiefs fans a bit longer.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• appreciate
• luxuriate in
• relish
• revel in
• sip
• smell
• taste