zest

zest

noun \ˈzest\

Definition of ZEST

1

: a piece of the peel of a citrus fruit (as an orange or lemon) used as flavoring

2

: an enjoyably exciting quality : piquancy <adds zest to the performance>

3

: keen enjoyment : relish, gusto <has a zest for living>

— zest·ful \-fəl\ adjective

— zest·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb

— zest·ful·ness noun

— zest·less \-ləs\ adjective

Examples of ZEST

1. His humor added zest to the performance.
2. His humor added a certain zest to the performance.
3. The recipe calls for a tablespoon of lemon zest.

Origin of ZEST

obsolete French (now zeste), orange or lemon peel (used as flavoring)

First Known Use: circa 1674

Related to ZEST

Synonyms

nip, pungency, spice, tang, piquancy, zing

Antonyms

insipidity

Related Words

raciness, spiciness; fieriness, hotness; acuteness, keenness, sharpness; provocativeness; excitement, invigoration, stimulant, stimulation, stimulus, thrill; bitterness, mordance, trenchancy; flavor, redolence, savor (also savour), savoriness, tastiness

Near Antonyms

flatness, tastelessness; dullness (also dulness), insipidity, monotonousness, monotony, platitude, predictability, sameness, tediousness; blandness, thinness, weakness

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

Rhymes with ZEST

best, breast, Brest, chest, crest, gest, geste, guest, hest, jessed, jest, lest, nest, pest, quest, rest, test, tressed, vest, west, wrest