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

Thaipusam is marked with particular zest in multicultural Malaysia, a Muslim-majority nation where ethnic Indians make up about seven percent of the 34 million population.

From Barron's

A drizzle of soy sauce, a scatter of scallions, and always — always — some lemon zest, which cuts through the yolk’s richness and, once blended, produces what my brain now registers as lazy hollandaise.

From Salon

It was Margaret Mead, a pioneering anthropologist from the US, who coined the term "post-menopausal zest", more than 70 years ago.

From BBC

“That provides some zest and additional bitterness that will provide a bit more interest to that mocktail.”

From Salon

Chickpeas tossed with olive oil, harissa, garlic powder, chili powder, oregano, and an almost unreasonable amount of lemon zest.

From Salon

Related Words

• flavoring
• ginger
• salt
• seasoning
• spice