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

France will relish extending the losing streak and ratcheting up the sudden and considerable pressure on Borthwick.

From BBC

At times, the panic it induced in opposition defences - who were still getting to grips with 2024 law tweaks outlawing deliberate blocking of chasers - was even relished.

From BBC

And she relished that romances are often multicultural—Amanda Elliot’s Hanukkah romance “Love You a Latke” hooked her from the title alone.

From The Wall Street Journal

In true supper-club fashion, each dinner arrives as a sequence: a relish tray, soup, salad, potato and dessert.

From Salon

At this stage in his life, Domingo still relishes challenging work.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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