relish

1 of 2

noun

rel·​ish ˈre-lish 

1

: characteristic flavor

especially : pleasing or zestful flavor

2

: a quantity just sufficient to flavor or characterize : trace

3

a

: enjoyment of or delight in something that satisfies one's tastes, inclinations, or desires

eat with great relish

b

: a strong liking : inclination

has little relish for sports

4

a

: something adding a zestful flavor

especially : a condiment (as of pickles or green tomatoes) eaten with other food to add flavor

b

: appetizer, hors d'oeuvre

relish

2 of 2

verb

relished; relishing; relishes

transitive verb

1

: to add relish to

2

: to be pleased or gratified by : enjoy

3

: to eat or drink with pleasure

4

: to appreciate with taste and discernment

intransitive verb

: to have a characteristic or pleasing taste

relishable

ˈre-li-shə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms of relish

Noun

• liking
• like
• appetite
• taste
• love
• preference

Verb

• enjoy
• savor
• love
• like

Examples of relish in a Sentence

Noun

I like to eat hot dogs with mustard and relish.

She plays the role with great relish.

He took particular relish in pointing out my error.

Verb

I relish traveling to new places.

I don't relish the idea of working late tonight.

He relishes the chance to compete again.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This simple method for slicing cantaloupe—and other melons such as honeydew—will take you from whole fruit to neat wedges or bite-size cubes for fruit salads, savory relishes, and more. —Janet McCracken, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 May 2026

When Best Maid’s relish supplier raised its prices, the Daltons opted to plant a cucumber patch in the backyard of their home in Mansfield. —Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2026

Verb

Brady unexpectedly took the stage and clearly relished the chance to take some revenge. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026

Jocks and mean girls relished in the mainstream, while the freaks and losers huddled over video-game music and alt weirdness. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 8 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

alteration of Middle English reles odor, taste, from Middle French, something left behind, release — more at release

First Known Use

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1566, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for relish

• hellish
• embellish

Kids Definition

relish

1 of 2 noun

rel·​ish ˈrel-ish 

1

: a pleasing appetizing taste

2

: a small bit added for flavor : dash

3

a

: enjoyment or delight in something

eat with great relish

b

: a strong liking

4

: a highly seasoned food (as of pickles or mustard) eaten with other food to add flavor

relish

2 of 2 verb

1

: to add relish to

2

: to be pleased by : enjoy

3

: to eat or drink with pleasure

relishable

-ə-bəl 

adjective