relish
Americannoun
-
relishes
plural
-
liking or enjoyment of the taste of something.
-
pleasurable appreciation of anything; liking.
He has no relish for obscene jokes.
- Synonyms:
- preference, predilection, partiality, inclination, zest, gusto
-
Cooking.
-
something savory or appetizing added to a meal, as pickles or olives.
-
a sweet pickle made of various vegetables, usually chopped or minced.
-
an appetizer or hors d'oeuvre.
-
-
a pleasing or appetizing flavor.
-
a pleasing or enjoyable quality.
-
a taste or flavor.
- Synonyms:
- savor
-
a smack, trace, or touch of something.
verb (used with object)
-
relishes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
relished,
past participle, past
-
relishing
present participle
-
to take pleasure in; like; enjoy.
I don't relish the long drive home.
- Synonyms:
- appreciate
-
to make pleasing to the taste.
-
to like the taste of.
verb (used without object)
-
relishes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
relished,
past participle, past
-
relishing
present participle
-
to have taste or flavor.
-
to be agreeable.
verb
-
to savour or enjoy (an experience) to the full
-
to anticipate eagerly; look forward to
-
to enjoy the taste or flavour of (food, etc); savour
-
to give appetizing taste or flavour to (food), by or as if by the addition of pickles or spices
noun
-
liking or enjoyment, as of something eaten or experienced (esp in the phrase with relish )
-
pleasurable anticipation
he didn't have much relish for the idea
-
an appetizing or spicy food added to a main dish to enhance its flavour
-
an appetizing taste or flavour
-
a zestful trace or touch
there was a certain relish in all his writing
-
music (in English lute, viol, and keyboard music of the 16th and 17th centuries) a trilling ornament, used esp at cadences
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
self-relishnoun
-
relishableadjective
-
unrelishableadjective
-
unrelishedadjective
-
unrelishingadjective
-
relishinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
relishsimple
-
relishessimple
-
have relishedperfect
-
has relishedperfect
-
am relishingprogressive
-
are relishingprogressive
-
is relishingprogressive
-
have been relishingperfect progressive
-
has been relishingperfect progressive
Past
-
relishedsimple
-
had relishedperfect
-
was relishingprogressive
-
were relishingprogressive
-
had been relishingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of relish
First recorded in 1520–30; alteration of Middle English reles “aftertaste, scent,” from Old French, variant of relais “remainder, that left behind”; see release
Explanation
Relish isn't just a hotdog topping. The verb relish means to enjoy something immensely. You may relish eating the relish on your hotdog, or you may relish taking an afternoon nap. The word relish has been around since the 16th century and comes to us from the French, who are pretty good at indulging and savoring. When at a dinner party, win points with your host by sighing happily after each bite to show just how much you relish the meal. Relish is also a kind of spicy or savory condiment, the stuff you slather on hotdogs or hamburgers. So if you're fickle when it comes to pickles, you might ask them to hold the relish.
Vocabulary lists containing relish
The Giver
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Freak the Mighty
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Of Mice and Men"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Farmers grow passion fruit, pomegranates and tangerines, and islanders relish a fiery shochu liquor made with brown sugar.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026
Badenoch has recently accused Burnham of being a "people pleaser" who doesn't relish taking difficult decisions, a characterisation she is likely to use again in her Commons clashes with him.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
If you relish reading a critic pan a bad movie, then you’ll love Laura Miller’s scathing review of The Whisper Man, a ridiculous new thriller starring Robert De Niro and Michael Keaton.
From Slate ● Aug. 28, 2026
While roadways like the 5 serve to get you from one point to another quickly and efficiently, this one begs you to relish the journey.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
“This ought to be fun,” said Scythe Chomsky, folding his arms, ready to relish what was to come.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
Tuchel, meanwhile, is one of the world's most respected coaches, who openly relishes the cut and thrust of knockout football - as he proved when winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021.
From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026
As an artist, Sattouf relishes dark absurdity; as a character, Riad is irresistible even when he’s prickly and judgmental, which is often.
From Salon ● Jun. 27, 2026
Sticky, translucent strings dangle from Wesley Smith's chopsticks as the American tourist relishes his natto, the loved-and-hated Japanese fermented soybean superfood going global one slimy mouthful at a time.
From Barron's ● Jun. 22, 2026
Liam relishes his unearned good fortune while Nick futilely tries to explain to everyone that something is terribly wrong.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026
Our eyes meet in the mirror, and I can tell she relishes the information she holds over me.
From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton
Conceived as a vehicle for several Brat Pack actors of the time including Charlie Sheen and Kiefer Sutherland, the film nonetheless belonged to Curry, who relished every line of villainy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
Erin from Lisburn also relished the challenge of foreign opposition.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
Graham relished his role in the center of the action.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026
And Neill relished that ability, returning time and again to characters whose unpredictability mirrored life’s, creating an oeuvre that is both grotesque and supremely human.
From Salon ● Jul. 17, 2026
He trailed off, and Thomas knew the boy relished the idea though he was ashamed to admit it.
From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner
However, following trophy-laden spells in Saudi Arabia and Austria with Al-Ahli and RB Salzburg, the 38-year-old is relishing the challenge ahead.
From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026
As the picture rolls along, Garcia shows a more assertive side, relishing her character’s emergence from her shell.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026
Conductors love to play “Pulcinella” for goofy laughs, exaggerating trombone glissandi and the like, relishing guffaws from the audience.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026
Although he was furious about the decision that led to Celtic's win at Motherwell, McInnes was bullish and is relishing the position his side find themselves in.
From BBC ● May 15, 2026
His motel was a good two miles away, but after spending three years in prison he was relishing the idea that he could simply walk and walk, forever if need be.
From "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
