savor

especially British, sa·vour

[sey-ver]

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.

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 Note

See -or ¹.

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of savor¹

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” ( sapient ); (verb) Middle English sav(o)uren, from Old French savourer, from Late Latin sapōrāre, derivative of sapor

Synonym Study

See taste.

Example Sentences

It’s the kind of setting where you can interact with the chef, watch each piece of nigiri come together, and savor the craft up close.

From Salon

Once there, she savors “the beautiful buildings, the orange trees, the smells and flavors of the food,” enjoying the chance to get to know the culture more deeply than a one-time visitor might.

From Los Angeles Times

However, I’m not complaining — it’s a drink that I’ll be savoring till summer’s end.

From Salon

It’s an idea even built into the fence design, where passersby often step off the public sidewalk out of the “flow,” to chat or just savor the yard’s many colors and scents.

From Los Angeles Times

She’s alone, gloriously, at long last . . . and too late for the rest of us to savor what her next steps will be.

From Salon

Related Words

• appreciate 
• luxuriate in www.thesaurus.com
• relish 
• revel in www.thesaurus.com
• sip 
• smell 
• taste