flavor

play

noun fla·vor \ ˈflā-vər \

Definition of flavor

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 a :variety 3a

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 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

—

flavored

play \ˈflā-vərd\ adjective

—

flavorful

play \ˈflā-vər-fəl\ adjective

—

flavorfully

play \ˈflā-vər-fə-lē\ adverb

—

flavorless

play \ˈflā-vər-ləs\ adjective

—

flavorsome

play \ˈflā-vər-səm\ adjective

See flavor defined for English-language learners

See flavor defined for kids

Examples of flavor in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of flavor from the Web

The alcoholic fritters return for 2017 with a new flavor: pineapple.

— leeanne griffin, courant.com, "Holy Fried Cannoli! What's New To Eat At The Big E For 2017?," 25 Aug. 2017
This has all of those ‘mama’ flavors that remind me of home.

— Los Angeles Magazine, "Chef Mirko Paderno of Estrella Shares his Favorite L.A. Dishes," 24 Aug. 2017
Not only because Halo Top looks pretty in photos or because its flavor offerings range from classic (Vanilla Bean, Strawberry, Mint Chip) to novel (Mochi Green Tea, Pancakes & Waffles, Chocolate Covered Banana).

— molly young, Bon Appetit, "Halo Top Is the Most Popular Ice Cream in America, and We're Not Mad," 24 Aug. 2017
Menu items include: on-the-go sandwiches, salads and snacks, including gluten-free options and performance bio-nutrition bars in flavors such as turmeric and ginger, matcha and espresso, manuka and mango and more.

— jamie lisanti, SI.com, "How to Eat Your Way Through the 2017 U.S. Open," 24 Aug. 2017
More flavor came from the pool of tomatillo sauce in which the half-moons waded.

— anna caplan, star-telegram, "Los Jimadores’ new location is a chip (and salsa) off the old block," 23 Aug. 2017
Restaurant operators can also throw different types of wood, such as apple, cherry, hickory or mesquite, on top of the coal to add flavors when roasting meat, poultry or vegetables in the oven, Hofmann explained.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Earth Wood & Fire to open next week in Fallston's Aumar Village," 9 Aug. 2017
Healthy toppings like granola, more fruit, and coconut flakes add flavor, texture, and substance.

— birmingham magazine, AL.com, "Explore these 10 incredible honeymoon destinations," 19 July 2017
Summer's favorite flavor now has a whole menu devoted to it.

— sam dangremond, Town & Country, "The Rainbow Room Is Opening the Rosé Bar of Your Dreams This Summer," 13 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flavor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of flavor

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

flavor Synonyms

Synonyms

air, ambience (or ambiance), aroma, atmosphere, climate, aura, halo, karma, mood, nimbus, note, odor, patina, smell, temper, vibration (s)

Related Words

aureole (or aureola), mystique, romance; genius loci; feel, feeling, sensation, sense, spirit; attribute, character, characteristic, image, mark, notion, peculiarity, picture, property, trait; color, illusion, overtone, semblance, suggestion, tone

Near Antonyms

tastelessness

Other Food Terms

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

flavor

verb

Definition of flavor

flavored; flavoring play \ˈflā-v(ə-)riŋ\

transitive verb

:to give or add flavor to

See flavor defined for English-language learners

Examples of flavor in a Sentence

We flavored the cookies with cinnamon.
I flavored the salad with herbs.

Recent Examples of flavor from the Web

And the fair will also offer new twists on funnel cakes, with peanut butter and jelly or Oreo-flavored funnel cakes.

— sarah meehan, baltimoresun.com, "A 350-pound banana split and other indulgent foods found at the state fair," 23 Aug. 2017
The idea of consuming anything explicitly flavored to remind me of pies and sweaters felt, at the very least, quite rude.

— marian bull, GQ, "It's Too Soon for Pumpkin Beer," 19 Aug. 2017
Step 2: The Vegetables → When added for the sole purpose of flavoring the broth, vegetables are left in larger pieces, like a quarter carrot or half an onion, and then removed.

— francine maroukian, Popular Mechanics, "The Two Ways To Cook Meat Perfectly Every Time," 18 Aug. 2017
A ball of ice flavored in a variety of ways and often topped with marshmallow, snowballs are a beloved sign of summer when stands across the region open their doors in the spring.

— katie v. jones, Columbia Flier, "Snowball stands help beat the heat in Howard County," 15 Aug. 2017
Sample hearty cheese platters flavored with fresh herbs at a local inn, or try your hand at cheesemaking at the dairy school in Egg.

— Smithsonian, "10 Unexpectedly Scenic Places in Austria," 14 Aug. 2017
A new take on the classic Refreshers, this drink is flavored with strawberries, passion fruit, and açaí.

— jessica mattern, Redbook, "15 Guilt-Free Starbucks Drinks For When You're Trying to Lose Weight," 2 Aug. 2017
The beans are kettle-cooked, and they'll be flavored with bacon and brown sugar.

— carly breit, Country Living, "Chick-Fil-A Is Testing Family-Style Meals—And We Are Freaking Out," 18 July 2017
The whole-wheat breadcrumb stuffing is flavored with garlic, fresh basil and thyme and stuffed into a ripe, juicy tomato.

— jill wendholt silva, charlotteobserver, "What to do with all these great tomatoes? Stuff them," 18 July 2017

First Known Use of flavor

1542

flavor Synonyms

Synonyms

season, lace, savor (also savour), spice

Related Words

enhance, enrich, sauce; pepper, salt; aromatize, perfume

Other Food Terms

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

FLAVOR Defined for English Language Learners

flavor

play

noun

Definition of flavor for English Language Learners

: the quality of something that you can taste
: a particular type of taste
: a good or appealing taste

flavor

verb

Definition of flavor for English Language Learners

: to give or add flavor to (something)

FLAVOR Defined for Kids

flavor

play

noun fla·vor \ ˈflā-vər \

Definition of flavor for Students

1 :the quality of something that affects the sense of taste

I like the spicy flavor of Indian food.

2 :a substance added to food to give it a desired taste

artificial flavors

flavor

verb

Definition of flavor for Students

flavored; flavoring

:to give or add something to produce a taste

The chef flavored the sauce with peppers.

—

flavored

adjective

Medical Dictionary

flavor

noun fla·vor

variants: or chiefly British flavour play \ˈflā-vər\

medical Definition of flavor

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

or chiefly British flavoured play \-vərd\ adjective

flavor

transitive verb

variants: or chiefly British flavour

medical Definition of flavor

flavored or chiefly British flavoured; flavoring or chiefly British flavouring play \ˈflāv-(ə-)riŋ\

:to give or add flavor to

Learn More about flavor

See words that rhyme with flavor Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for flavor Spanish Central: Translation of flavor Nglish: Translation of flavor for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of flavor for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flavor

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up flavor? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

flavor

Definition of flavor

flavored

flavorful

flavorfully

flavorless

flavorsome

Explore M-W

Examples of flavor in a Sentence

Recent Examples of flavor from the Web

Origin and Etymology of flavor

flavor Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Other Food Terms

flavor

Definition of flavor

Examples of flavor in a Sentence

Recent Examples of flavor from the Web

First Known Use of flavor

flavor Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Food Terms

FLAVOR Defined for English Language Learners

flavor

Definition of flavor for English Language Learners

flavor

Definition of flavor for English Language Learners

FLAVOR Defined for Kids

flavor

Definition of flavor for Students

flavor

Definition of flavor for Students

flavored

Medical Dictionary

flavor

medical Definition of flavor

flavored

flavor

medical Definition of flavor

Learn More about flavor

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'So Long': A Common But Mysterious Goodbye

9 Slang Words With Academic Origins

Trending: 'Bodega' Startup Draws Criticism, Mockery

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

Words of the Year: 1066