savor

1 of 2

noun

sa·​vor ˈsā-vər How to pronounce savor (audio)
variants or less commonly savour
1
: the taste or smell of something
2
: a particular flavor or smell
3
: a distinctive quality
savorless adjective
savorous
ˈsā-vər-əs How to pronounce savor (audio)
ˈsāv-rəs
adjective

savor

2 of 2

verb

variants or less commonly savour
savored also savoured; savoring also savouring ˈsā-vər-iŋ How to pronounce savor (audio)
ˈsāv-riŋ

intransitive verb

: to have a specified smell or quality : smack

transitive verb

1
: to give flavor to : season
2
a
: to have experience of : taste
b
: to taste or smell with pleasure : relish
c
: to delight in : enjoy
savoring the moment
savorer noun

Examples of savor in a Sentence

Noun Without her love, life has lost its savor for me. a gourmet who can identify the ingredients in any dish solely by their savor Verb He savored the aroma of the baking pies. They savored every last morsel of food. She was just savoring the moment. The team is still savoring its victory. He savored the memories of his vacation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The pathology of the age is too much experience, too little savor. Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2024 Sip, savor, and support the Sonoma County Humane Society during this event which features wine tastings, a puppy kissing booth and pet supply drive. Brittany Delay, The Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2024 Muldoon was here to opine, tweak, and savor, but not to boss. Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 8 Jan. 2024 Wrap your hands around the mug, inhale the spice-laden aromas, sip and savor. Washington Post, 23 Dec. 2023 Clippers push back at critics, savor win over Suns Jan. 3, 2024 Advertisement The Pelicans had won nine of its previous 12 games and hadn’t lost a home game to the Clippers since Jan. 18, 2020. Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2024 The culinary superstar and her 15-year-old mini-me love spending quality time together Giada De Laurentiis and her only child, Jade, 15, savor every minute together. Zoey Lyttle, Peoplemag, 10 Dec. 2023 S'well Ice Cream Chiller View On Amazon View On Revolve Since ice cream is a delicious treat to savor, your sister will enjoy being able to eat it while on the go. Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2023 Wall Lizards and Arum Lilies The Lilford's wall lizard savors the smell and the seeds of the dead horse arum lily in the Balearic Islands off of Spain, while the lily travels (and spreads) through the lizard's digestive tract. Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 25 Oct. 2023
Verb
Guests will get to savor a variety of tacos and beers from numerous regional breweries, restaurants and taco chefs. The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024 His manner is that of a genial dinner party host who has a doozy tale to unfold — one his guests might be more eager to savor than the meal itself. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024 Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy Nikki Haley, the only Republican primary challenger standing against former President Donald Trump, was savoring the moment. USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 The brand positioning is about bringing French lifestyle to the forefront whether that’s savoring a glass of Saint-Emilion, a crunchy baguette, a buttery croissant, or tasteful art and design. Ramsey Qubein, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024 It’s tucked into a quiet corner of Gatlinburg, Tennessee—otherwise known as the Pancake Capital of the South—which boasts dozens of waffle and pancake houses to explore and savor. Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 In a city that’s perhaps better known for its classic cocktails than afternoon tea, finding an atmospheric nook in New York City to sip on Earl Grey while savoring scones and sweets requires some research. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2024 When winter grinds on, do as the Danes do: Rather than resist, embrace and savor the season. Samantha Laine Perfas, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Feb. 2024 Lopez has always seemed out to prove, rarely to savor, relish or bask. Wesley Morris, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'savor.' 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, from Anglo-French savur, from Latin sapor, from sapere to taste — more at sage

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of savor was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near savor

Cite this Entry

“Savor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/savor. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

savor

1 of 2 noun
sa·​vor ˈsā-vər How to pronounce savor (audio)
1
: the taste and odor of something
2
: something clearly marking one as different from others
savorless adjective

savor

2 of 2 verb
savored; savoring ˈsāv-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce savor (audio)
1
: to have a specified smell or quality
2
: to give flavor to
3
: to taste or smell with pleasure : relish
savorer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on savor

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