flavor

1 of 2

noun

fla·​vor ˈflā-vər How to pronounce flavor (audio)
1
a
archaic : odor, fragrance
b
: the quality of something that affects the sense of taste
c
: the blend of taste and smell sensations evoked by a substance in the mouth
the flavor of apples
2
: a substance that flavors
artificial flavors
3
a
: characteristic or predominant quality
the ethnic flavor of a neighborhood
b
: a distinctive appealing or enlivening quality
Her performance adds flavor to the show.
4
b
: a property that distinguishes different types of elementary particles (such as quarks or neutrinos)
also : any of the different types of particles that are distinguished by flavor
5
: version sense 2
flavors of software
6
: one that is in the center of public attention for a limited time
usually used in phrases like flavor of the month
flavorful adjective
flavorfully adverb
flavorless adjective
flavorsome adjective

flavor

2 of 2

verb

flavored; flavoring ˈflā-v(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce flavor (audio)

transitive verb

: to give or add flavor to

Examples of flavor in a Sentence

Noun This dish has an unusual flavor. the hot, spicy flavors of Mexican food a dish with unusual flavor They sell 20 different flavors of ice cream. Grape is my favorite bubble gum flavor. The stew is full of flavor. She added vanilla flavor to the custard. I like the Italian flavor of the neighborhood. The film has an avant-garde flavor. Her performance adds flavor to the show. Verb We flavored the cookies with cinnamon. I flavored the salad with herbs.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
There are plenty of flavors to try, most with a musical theme. Chelsea Davis, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024 Garlic cloves: Kick up the strong fresh garlic flavor a notch, especially as the shallots cook down. Renu Dhar, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2024
Verb
First, however, this experience required some time on the beach gathering seaweed to flavor their impending meal. Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Oct. 2024 This makes sense since pumpkin spice is just a blend of spices used to flavor pumpkin desserts. Greg McKenna, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for flavor 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flavor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English flavour, modification of Anglo-French flaur, flour, from Vulgar Latin *flator, alteration of Latin flatus breath, act of blowing — more at flatulent

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1542, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of flavor was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near flavor

Cite this Entry

“Flavor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flavor. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

flavor

noun
fla·​vor
ˈflā-vər
1
a
: the quality of something that affects the sense of taste : savor
b
: the blend of taste and smell sensations caused by a substance in the mouth
2
: a substance added to food or drink to give it a desired taste
3
: characteristic or most noticeable quality
flavor verb
flavored
-vərd
adjective
flavorful
-vər-fəl
adjective
flavorless
-ləs
adjective

Medical Definition

flavor

1 of 2 noun
fla·​vor
variants or chiefly British flavour
1
a
: the quality of something that affects the sense of taste
condiments give flavor to food
b
: the blend of taste and smell sensations evoked by a substance in the mouth
the flavor of ripe fruit
2
: a substance that flavors
flavored adjective
or chiefly British flavoured

flavor

2 of 2 transitive verb
variants or chiefly British flavour
flavored or chiefly British flavoured; flavoring or chiefly British flavouring ˈflāv-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce flavor (audio)
: to give or add flavor to

More from Merriam-Webster on flavor

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