zest

[ zest ]
/ zɛst /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR zest ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

verb (used with object)

to give zest, relish, or piquancy to.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
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Origin of zest

1665–75; < French zest (now zeste) orange or lemon peel used for flavoring < ?

OTHER WORDS FROM zest

zest·less, adjective

Words nearby zest

zeroth, zeroth law of thermodynamics, zerubbabel, zervan, zervanism, zest, zester, zestful, zesty, zeta, zeta sedimentation ratio
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to zest

seasoning, salt, flavoring, ginger, spice, enthusiasm, appetite, passion, fervor, body, get-up-and-go, zip, tang, bite, guts, punch, relish, savor, smack, charm

Example sentences from the Web for zest

British Dictionary definitions for zest

zest
/ (zɛst) /

noun

invigorating or keen excitement or enjoymenta zest for living
added interest, flavour, or charm; piquancyher presence gave zest to the occasion
something added to give flavour or relish
the peel or skin of an orange or lemon, used as flavouring in drinks, etc

verb

(tr) to give flavour, interest, or piquancy to

Derived forms of zest

Word Origin for zest

C17: from French zeste peel of citrus fruits used as flavouring, of unknown origin
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