savor

[ sey-ver ]
See synonyms for savor on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the quality in a substance that affects the sense of taste or of smell.

  2. a particular taste or smell.

  1. distinctive quality or property.

  2. power to excite or interest.

  3. Archaic. repute.

verb (used without object)
  1. to have savor, taste, or odor.

  2. to exhibit the peculiar characteristics; smack (often followed by of): 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.

  1. to give oneself to the enjoyment of: to savor the best in life.

Origin of savor

1
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
  • Also especially British, sa·vour .

synonym study For savor

1. See taste.

usage note For savor

See -or1.

Other words for savor

Other words from savor

  • sa·vor·er, noun
  • sa·vor·ing·ly, adverb
  • sa·vor·less, adjective
  • sa·vor·ous, adjective
  • outsavor, verb (used with object)
  • un·sa·vored, adjective

Words that may be confused with savor

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024