English Dictionary

Definition of “savour

savour or US savor(ˈseɪvəPronunciation for )

Definitions

noun

  1. the quality in a substance that is perceived by the sense of taste or smell
  2. a specific taste or smell  ⇒ the savour of lime 
  3. a slight but distinctive quality or trace
  4. the power to excite interest  ⇒ the savour of wit has been lost 
  5. archaic reputation

verb

  1. (intr)  often foll by of to possess the taste or smell (of)
  2. (intr)  often foll by of to have a suggestion (of)
  3. (tr) to give a taste to; season
  4. (tr) to taste or smell, esp appreciatively
  5. (tr) to relish or enjoy

Alternative Forms

ˈsavourless ˈsavorless adjective ˈsavorous adjective

Word Origin

C13: from Old French savour,  from Latin sapor  taste, from sapere to taste

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= relish, like, delight in revel in luxuriate in gloat over
= enjoy, appreciate, relish, delight in revel in partake of, drool over, luxuriate in enjoy to the full smack your lips over
= trace, distinctive quality

Usage examples

  • His tongue should flicker lightly over your palate, taste your lips and savour the juice in your mouth.
    Toni Lee, BARE: Lust, Lies and Hot Wax (2001)
  • I'm sorry not I'm going to see them at Reading -- that will be something to savour.
    NME (New Musical Express) (2004)
  • Neither company will savour the prospect of Xstrata, with WMC under its belt, promoting itself to the ranks of the big guns.
    The Australian (2004)
  • SCORE VERDICT: FOR the time being, Kevin Keegan can put his England troubles behind him and savour success as a club manager.
    Sun, News of the World (2001)
  • At least once, he camped apart from the main party to savour isolation.
    Cameron, Kenneth M, Into Africa - a social history of the East African Safari (1989)

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