relish

American  

[rel-ish] / ˈrɛl ɪʃ /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Other Word Forms

• relishable adjective
• relishingly adverb
• self-relish noun
• unrelishable adjective
• unrelished adjective
• unrelishing adjective

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”; release

Example Sentences

Finding a real tree is part of the fun, and growing up I relished the hunt.

From The Wall Street Journal

Can England players get themselves into the state of mind where they relish a tour of Australia, rather than talking it up as the hardest thing they will ever do?

From BBC

Shankland said it feels like people suggest "it is a massive game" every week now and he and his team-mates are relishing the challenge.

From BBC

Farke's side are always a handful at home and will relish the challenge of getting another good result on Saturday, but I can see this being a very close contest.

From BBC

The Londoner has appeared to relish the spotlight during fight week, with her personality coming through at public events.

From BBC

Related Words

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