zest

[ zest ]
See synonyms for zest on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. keen relish; hearty enjoyment; gusto.

  2. an agreeable or piquant flavor imparted to something.

  1. anything added to impart flavor, enhance one's appreciation, etc.

  2. piquancy; interest; charm.

  3. liveliness or energy; animating spirit.

  4. the peel, especially the thin outer peel, of a citrus fruit used for flavoring: lemon zest.

verb (used with object)
  1. to give zest, relish, or piquancy to.

Origin of zest

1
1665–75; <French zest (now zeste) orange or lemon peel used for flavoring < ?

Other words for zest

Other words from zest

  • zestless, adjective

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

British Dictionary definitions for zest

zest

/ (zɛst) /


noun
  1. invigorating or keen excitement or enjoyment: a zest for living

  2. added interest, flavour, or charm; piquancy: her presence gave zest to the occasion

  1. something added to give flavour or relish

  2. the peel or skin of an orange or lemon, used as flavouring in drinks, etc

verb
  1. (tr) to give flavour, interest, or piquancy to

Origin of zest

1
C17: from French zeste peel of citrus fruits used as flavouring, of unknown origin

Derived forms of zest

  • zestful, adjective
  • zestfully, adverb
  • zestfulness, noun
  • zestless, adjective
  • zesty, adjective

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