relish

[ rel-ish ]

/ ˈrɛl ɪʃ /

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See synonyms for: relish / relished / relishes / relishing on Thesaurus.com

noun

liking or enjoyment of the taste of something.

pleasurable appreciation of anything; liking: He has no relish for obscene jokes.

Cooking.

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

a pleasing or appetizing flavor.

a pleasing or enjoyable quality.

a taste or flavor.

a smack, trace, or touch of something.

verb (used with object)

to take pleasure in; like; enjoy: I don't relish the long drive home.

to make pleasing to the taste.

to like the taste of.

verb (used without object)

to have taste or flavor.

to be agreeable.

OTHER WORDS FOR relish

1, 2 gusto, zest.

2 inclination, partiality, predilection, preference.

3 condiment, appetizer.

6 savor.

8 appreciate.

See synonyms for relish on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR relish

1, 2 distaste, disfavor.

See antonyms for relish on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of relish

1520–30; alteration of Middle English reles aftertaste, scent <Old French, variant of relais remainder, that left behind; see release

OTHER WORDS FROM relish

rel·ish·a·ble, adjectiverel·ish·ing·ly, adverbself-relish, nounun·rel·ish·a·ble, adjective

un·rel·ished, adjectiveun·rel·ish·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use relish in a sentence

Everyone—everyone who has never emailed a Sony employee, at least—relished the thought it was a “dictator move.”
Sony Hack: A Dictator Move?|Kevin Bleyer|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Up to a point, Blanc had relished the title “most hated man in the world.”
‘Pick-Up Artist’ to Be Banned from UK|Tom Sykes|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Was there a brief window where I relished it, where it proved something about the passage of teenager-hood to manhood?
Leo, the Beard Has to Go: When a Man’s Facial Hair Reaches Crisis Point|Tim Teeman|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Rivers loved working, she relished being in the mix, and game.
Melissa Rivers: Life After Joan—A Funny, Moving Celebration on a Special 'Fashion Police'|Tim Teeman|September 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He hid from the local media and threatened to punch out a TV news director, yet relished moments in the national spotlight.
From Katrina to the Clink: Ex New Orleans Mayor Heads to Prison|Jason Berry|February 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The guests relished it greatly and Alila's father was praised very much for surprising them with this dainty.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin|Mary Hazelton Wade
The composer, however, cannot be said to have enjoyed popularity; his works were relished only by the few, not by the many.
Frederick Chopin as a Man and Musician|Frederick Niecks
Red-hot cinders he highly relished, though in obtaining them he frequently singed off his moustaches.
The Animal Story Book|Various
Great merriment and relished rest followed the discovery of the cause of disturbance, especially as no one was seriously hurt.
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry|Willard Glazier
I am not fatigued with solitude, yet I have not relished my solitary dinner.
Mary Wollstonecraft|Elizabeth Robins Pennell

British Dictionary definitions for relish

relish

/ (ˈrɛlɪʃ) /

verb (tr)

to savour or enjoy (an experience) to the full

to anticipate eagerly; look forward to

to enjoy the taste or flavour of (food, etc); savour

to give appetizing taste or flavour to (food), by or as if by the addition of pickles or spices

noun

liking or enjoyment, as of something eaten or experienced (esp in the phrase with relish)

pleasurable anticipationhe didn't have much relish for the idea

an appetizing or spicy food added to a main dish to enhance its flavour

an appetizing taste or flavour

a zestful trace or touchthere was a certain relish in all his writing

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

Derived forms of relish

relishable, adjective

Word Origin for relish

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

relish

OTHER WORDS FOR relish

OPPOSITES FOR relish

Origin of relish

OTHER WORDS FROM relish

Words related to relish

How to use relish in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for relish

Derived forms of relish

Word Origin for relish