Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense savours, present participle savouring, past tense, past participle savouredregional note: in AM, use savor
1. verb
If you savour an experience, you enjoy it as much as you can.
She savored her newfound freedom. [VERB noun]
We won't pretend we savour the prospect of a month in prison. [VERB noun]
I have this feeling of being given a second chance, and I savour every moment. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: relish, like, delight in, revel in More Synonyms of savour
2. verb
If you savour food or drink, you eat or drink it slowly in order to taste its full flavour and to enjoy it properly.
Savour the flavour of each mouthful, and chew your food well. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: enjoy, appreciate, relish, delight in More Synonyms of savour
More Synonyms of savour
savour in British English
or US savor (ˈseɪvə)
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
6. (intransitive; often foll byof)
to possess the taste or smell (of)
7. (intransitive; often foll byof)
to have a suggestion (of)
8. (transitive)
to give a taste to; season
9. (transitive)
to taste or smell, esp appreciatively
10. (transitive)
to relish or enjoy
Derived forms
savourless (ˈsavourless) or US savorless (ˈsavorless)
adjective
savorous (ˈsavorous)
adjective
Word origin
C13: from Old French savour, from Latin sapor taste, from sapere to taste
Examples of 'savour' in a sentence
savour
Why not savour the real taste of the baked potato?
Lamplugh, Diana & Sterwin, Diana & Nottidge, Pamela Survive the Nine to Five - a woman's guide to working well (1989)
How better to remind oneself of the savour of victory than to taste the bitterness of defeat?
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They just want to savour the moment.
The Sun (2016)
It was a magical moment to savour.
The Sun (2008)
Today we must savour the victory.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
When Mount does take time to savour an idea he combines personal observations with considered research.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
They probably also savour the flavour of fresh peach, dress brightly and crave company.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
You've got to savour the taste.
The Sun (2013)
Hardly an experience to savour.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
An experience to be savoured.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The only suggestion that passengers may savour is the idea that the unions will get a kicking and their Spanish practices will be abolished.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He deserves to be a finalist but it is doubtful that he will savour the experience on the other side of the net from Nadal.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They want something to enjoy, to savour, to talk about.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
For him, the competition'is still something to enjoy and savour.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
savour
British English: savour VERB
If you savour an experience, you enjoy it as much as you can.
She savoured her newfound freedom.
American English: savor
Brazilian Portuguese: apreciar
Chinese: 尽情享受
European Spanish: saborear
French: savourer
German: genießen
Italian: assaporare
Japanese: 味わう
Korean: 만끽하다
European Portuguese: apreciar
Latin American Spanish: saborear
1 (verb)
Definition
to enjoy (a pleasure) for as long as possible
I'm savouring the thought of a holiday next month.
Synonyms
relish
He ate quietly, relishing his meal.
like
He likes baseball.
delight in
revel in
luxuriate in
gloat over
2 (verb)
Definition
to enjoy and appreciate (food or drink) slowly
Savour the flavour of each mouthful.
Synonyms
enjoy
He enjoys playing cricket.
appreciate
Anyone can appreciate our music.
relish
delight in
revel in
partake of
drool over
luxuriate in
enjoy to the full
smack your lips over
1 (noun)
Definition
the taste or smell of something
The rich savour of the beans give this dish its character.
Synonyms
flavour
The cheese has a strong flavour.
taste
Nettles have a surprisingly sweet taste.
smell
the smell of freshly baked bread
relish
smack
zest
Lemon oil adds zest to your cuppa.
tang
Some liked its strong, fruity tang.
zing (informal)
He just lacked that extra zing.
piquancy
a little mustard to add piquancy
2 (noun)
Life without Anna had no savour.
Synonyms
zest
He has a zest for life and a quick intellect.
interest
spice
The spice of danger will add to the lure.
excitement
salt
flavour
3 (noun)
Definition
a slight but distinctive quality or trace
Synonyms
trace
distinctive quality
phrasal verb
See savour of something
Additional synonyms
in the sense of appreciate
Definition
to value highly
Anyone can appreciate our music.
Synonyms
enjoy,
like,
value,
regard,
respect,
prize,
admire,
treasure,
esteem,
relish,
cherish,
savour,
rate highly
in the sense of like
Definition
to be fond of
He likes baseball.
Synonyms
enjoy,
love,
adore (informal),
delight in,
go for,
dig (slang),
relish,
savour,
revel in,
be fond of,
be keen on,
be partial to,
have a preference for,
have a weakness for
in the sense of piquancy
a little mustard to add piquancy
Synonyms
spiciness,
bite (informal),
kick (informal),
edge,
flavour,
spice,
relish,
zest,
tang,
sharpness,
pungency
Synonyms of 'savour'
savour
Explore 'savour' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of smell
Definition
an odour or scent
the smell of freshly baked bread
Synonyms
odour,
scent,
fragrance,
perfume,
bouquet,
savour,
aroma,
whiff,
niff (British, slang),
redolence
in the sense of spice
Definition
something that makes life or an activity more exciting
The spice of danger will add to the lure.
Synonyms
excitement,
kick (informal),
zest,
colour,
pep,
zip (informal),
tang,
zap (slang),
gusto,
zing (informal),
piquancy
in the sense of tang
Definition
a strong sharp taste or smell
Some liked its strong, fruity tang.
Synonyms
taste,
bite,
flavour,
edge,
relish,
smack,
savour,
zest,
sharpness,
piquancy,
spiciness,
zestiness
in the sense of taste
Definition
the sensation experienced by means of the taste buds
Nettles have a surprisingly sweet taste.
Synonyms
flavour,
savour,
relish,
smack,
tang
in the sense of zing
Definition
the quality in something that makes it lively or interesting