relish

[ rel-ish ]

noun

1. liking or enjoyment of the taste of something.

   Synonyms: zest, gusto

   Antonyms: disfavor, distaste

2. pleasurable appreciation of anything; liking:

   He has no relish for obscene jokes.

   Synonyms: preference, predilection, partiality, inclination, zest, gusto

   Antonyms: disfavor, distaste

3. Cooking.
   1. something savory or appetizing added to a meal, as pickles or olives.
   2. a sweet pickle made of various vegetables, usually chopped or minced.
   3. an appetizer or hors d'oeuvre.

   Synonyms: appetizer, condiment

4. a pleasing or appetizing flavor.
5. a pleasing or enjoyable quality.
6. a taste or flavor.

   Synonyms: savor

7. a smack, trace, or touch of something.

verb (used with object)

1. to take pleasure in; like; enjoy:

   I don't relish the long drive home.

   Synonyms: appreciate

2. to make pleasing to the taste.
3. to like the taste of.

verb (used without object)

1. to have taste or flavor.
2. to be agreeable.

relish

/ ˈrɛlɪʃ /

verb

1. to savour or enjoy (an experience) to the full
2. to anticipate eagerly; look forward to
3. to enjoy the taste or flavour of (food, etc); savour
4. to give appetizing taste or flavour to (food), by or as if by the addition of pickles or spices

noun

1. liking or enjoyment, as of something eaten or experienced (esp in the phrase with relish )
2. pleasurable anticipation

   he didn't have much relish for the idea

3. an appetizing or spicy food added to a main dish to enhance its flavour
4. an appetizing taste or flavour
5. a zestful trace or touch

   there was a certain relish in all his writing

6. music (in English lute, viol, and keyboard music of the 16th and 17th centuries) a trilling ornament, used esp at cadences

Derived Forms

• ˈrelishable, adjective

Other Words From

• relish·a·ble adjective
• relish·ing·ly adverb
• self-relish noun
• un·relish·a·ble adjective
• un·relished adjective
• un·relish·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of relish¹

First recorded in 1520–30; alteration of Middle English reles “aftertaste, scent,” from Old French, variant of relais “remainder, that left behind”; release

Word History and Origins

Origin of relish¹

C16: from earlier reles aftertaste, from Old French: something remaining, from relaisser to leave behind; see release

Example Sentences

You’ll also likely have leftovers of the green kpakpo shito salsa, an onion-and-chile relish that packs the same kind of fiery heat as the finished jollof.

From Washington Post

I was well into my 20s when I found out that if you order a hot dog outside of Chicago, it will just be a steamed link in a bun, though the vendor may offer you things like sauerkraut or onions or relish or mustard.

From Washington Post

We scraped off the bottom layer and ate the crumbs with relish.

From Eater

When I opened the carton of otherwise delicious deviled eggs, I discovered their crab and relish toppings had slid off.

From Washington Post

Democrats either approached the task with relish or with some caveats about how they hated that the country had come to this.

From Washington Post

Catherine also seems to relish the danger and violence of her job.

From The Daily Beast

In the early scenes as he studies his own regenerated image in a mirror he concludes with relish: “These are attack eyebrows.”

From The Daily Beast

The slaw is vaguely like piccalilli or relish, but has a taste and drippy texture like no other.

From The Daily Beast

We relish crime depicted well and expect a level of authenticity in the portrayal.

From The Daily Beast

Regardless of the outcome, this is not the kind of political fight I relish.

From The Daily Beast

We were much alike in our tastes and habits, yet there was enough of difference between us to impart a relish to our friendship.

From Project Gutenberg

She had no wish to emulate, but neither did she relish feeling provincial, a chit, an outsider.

From Project Gutenberg

After this he awoke much refreshed, and having obtained some rice from the native chief, ate a little with relish.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Rice, the owner of the plantation, was a hot Southern sympathizer, but he did not relish his present company.

From Project Gutenberg

She did not relish hearing that Ethel wanted nothing but attention to be more than her equal, and she thought Richard mistaken.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• admire
• cherish
• delight in
• enjoy
• go for
• prefer
• revel in
• savor