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”; 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.

Example Sentences

Would you relish the excitement and the stress and, yes, competition of working at a big company in a big city?

From MarketWatch • Apr. 24, 2026

Instructors say bosses often relish letting employees climb on them, embracing a rare chance to support the team from the ground up.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

But when those agendas conflict, these justices seem to relish the opportunity to remind the president that they can still tell him no anytime they please.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

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

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

I hold my breath, relieved the front door doesn’t creak as I nudge it open and relish the evening breeze on my skin.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Related Words

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