savor

American  

[sey-ver] / ˈseɪ vər /

especially British, savour

noun

1. the quality in a substance that affects the sense of taste or of smell.

   Synonyms:

   fragrance, scent, odor, smack, relish

2. a particular taste or smell.

3. distinctive quality or property.

4. power to excite or interest.

5. Archaic. repute.

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verb (used without object)

1. to have savor, taste, or odor.

2. to exhibit the peculiar characteristics; smack (often followed byof ).

   His business practices savor of greed.

verb (used with object)

1. to give a savor to; season; flavor.

2. to perceive by taste or smell, especially with relish.

   to savor the garden's odors.

3. to give oneself to the enjoyment of.

   to savor the best in life.

Spelling

See -or ¹.

Related Words

See taste.

Other Word Forms

• outsavor
  verb (used with object)
• savorer
  noun
• savoringly
  adverb
• savorless
  adjective
• savorous
  adjective
• unsavored
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of savor

First recorded in 1175–1225; (noun) Middle English sav(o)ur, from Old French savour, from Latin sapōrem, accusative of sapor “taste,” derivative of sapere “to taste” ( cf. sapient); (verb) Middle English sav(o)uren, from Old French savourer, from Late Latin sapōrāre, derivative of sapor

Explanation

Whether it’s a feeling of joy or a piece of pecan pie — when you savor something, you enjoy it to the fullest. When you savor something, you enjoy it so much that you want to make it last forever. With that in mind, savor carries a connotation of doing something slowly. If you savor that flourless chocolate tart, then you eat it slowly, bit by bit, deliberately picking every last crumb off the plate. The word is often applied to eating, but you can savor any pleasurable experience, whether it’s the winning touchdown or your moment in the spotlight.

Example Sentences

The teams could wind up facing each other again in the regional playoffs, but this night was Robinson’s to savor.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026

Researchers used a scale called Joint Savoring in Romantic Relationships, adapted from the widely used Savoring Beliefs Inventory, which assesses how individuals savor positive moments.

From Science Daily • Feb. 14, 2026

Sit with that pungent taste marinating on your tongue and savor every flavor profile, both the pleasant and unpleasant.

From Salon • Jan. 25, 2026

Their tight ensemble and stylish expression made the performance of this moody work one to savor, and served as a reminder of how the right guest artist can spur local players to new heights.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

As I savor the last piece from our cookie stash, I think back to our daily chai in Pakistan.

From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan

Related Words

• appreciate
• luxuriate in
• relish
• revel in
• sip
• smell
• taste