flavor

noun

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fla·vor | \ ˈflā-vər

Definition of flavor

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a 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

3a : characteristic or predominant quality the ethnic flavor of a neighborhood

b : a distinctive appealing or enlivening quality Her performance adds flavor to the show.

4a : variety sense 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 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

flavor

verb

flavored; flavoring\ ˈflā-v(ə-)riŋ

Definition of flavor (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to give or add flavor to

Other Words from flavor Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about flavor

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Other Words from flavor

Noun

flavorful \ ˈflā-vər-fəl

\ adjective

flavorfully \ ˈflā-vər-fə-lē

\ adverb

flavorless \ ˈflā-vər-ləs

\ adjective

flavorsome \ ˈflā-vər-səm

\ adjective

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 Every year Union Joints come up with flavor twists on paczki. — Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, "These bakers and restaurants come up with unusual flavor twists on paczki," 13 Feb. 2021 The unsung hero of every cheese board, crackers supply a crisp staging to highlight a cheese’s singular flavor or provide a platform that allows for it to be layered with a good mustard and a bit of jam or jelly for a more multi-faceted experience. — Beth Segal, cleveland, "Homemade crackers 2.0: They’re not just for cheese boards anymore," 12 Feb. 2021 The heat is balanced by the addition of peanut butter (or, usually, sesame paste), the flavor amped up by ginger and garlic and black vinegar. — Jessica Battilana, San Francisco Chronicle, "A recipe for a spicy bowl of dan dan noodles that wakes up the taste buds," 12 Feb. 2021 Restaurants remain open under these latest rules, and so do many other markets, makers and purveyors of local flavor. — Ian Mcnulty, NOLA.com, "Ian McNulty: In hard times, New Orleans food still carries the heart of Mardi Gras," 9 Feb. 2021 Her favorite flavors are lemon pepper and basic buffalo flavor. — Dallas News, "Girls basketball player of the week (2/7): Richardson’s Callie Cooper," 8 Feb. 2021 The second works, but can keep the seasonings from delivering maximum flavor since most of them will be removed along with that tough layer. — Chuck Blount, San Antonio Express-News, "How to cook beef tongue (lengua) 3 different ways at home: in a slow cooker for street tacos, braised like a pot roast and smoked like brisket," 8 Feb. 2021 Across Asia, mushrooms have long been prized, for food and flavor, medicinal and ritualistic purposes, and in poetry and prose. — New York Times, "The Mushrooms Will Survive Us," 7 Feb. 2021 As to the carne, choose a cut of beef that has lots of connective tissue and flavor. — Kim Sunée, Anchorage Daily News, "Skip the beans, forget tomatoes. Here’s how to make a ‘bowl of red’ chili con carne," 4 Feb. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb And the acts of violence flavor the eroticism with a sadomasochistic tang. — New York Times, "The Lusty Creativity of Cornelis Cornelisz von Haarlem," 13 Jan. 2021 Meat can make a rare appearance, usually only to flavor a dish. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN, "Mediterranean diet named best diet for 2021," 5 Jan. 2021 This will loosen the brown bits that have formed on the bottom of the pot and flavor the food even further. — Nicole Papantoniou, Good Housekeeping, "What Is a Dutch Oven — and How Do You Use It?," 22 Dec. 2020 Zinke talked about how her mom would pick yomogi, Japanese mugwort, growing wild along the sidewalks to flavor mochi. — Janelle Bitker, SFChronicle.com, "Make mochi for New Year's with this Bay Area native's adorable new cookbook," 30 Dec. 2020 Stephani Smith, founder and creative director of Garnish Craft Cocktail Catering in Maui, turned to chamomile flowers to flavor this delicate cocktail. — Magdalena O'neal, Sunset Magazine, "Champagne Cocktails to Toast With This New Year’s Eve," 30 Dec. 2020 Fortunately, there are ways to flavor our lives with distant places, whether the vacation is familiar or fantasy: through food. — Amy Drew Thompson, orlandosentinel.com, "Philly tradition: You can smell it at LaSpada’s," 27 Dec. 2020 Try using ground sumac ($9, The Spice House) to flavor kabobs, hummus, and roasted veggies. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, "The Flavors You’ll Start Seeing Everywhere in 2021, According to Experts," 17 Dec. 2020 Using almond or cashew flour will thicken, flavor and add protein to the final gravy, which may be more velvety than perfectly smooth. — Washington Post, "How to make pan gravy with or without meat drippings," 11 Nov. 2020

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.