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

Other Word Forms

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

Raised by a single mother, Miller relishes his role watching over his fifth-grade brother who sometimes joins him on the football bus to road games.

From Los Angeles Times

There was no relish within what they said.

From BBC

Dembele took it all on board and has relished playing in his new tactical role.

From BBC

Ross has long relished being a thorn in the side of ministers.

From BBC

Ask any family: There is more relish in fighting at close quarters.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• admire 
• cherish 
• delight in www.thesaurus.com
• enjoy 
• go for 
• prefer 
• revel in www.thesaurus.com
• savor