relish

noun rel·ish \ ˈre-lish \

Definition of relish

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

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See relish defined for kids

Examples of relish in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of relish from the Web

Now balance that classy feeling of old-style cocktails and art with a plate of their Fresh Potato Chips, which are gloriously bathed in cheddar cheese, bacon, scallions and tomato relish.

— bedrock-detroit, Detroit Free Press, "Plan now for the Detroit Free Press Food & Wine Experience," 30 Aug. 2017
Sweet-and-salty Hatch (Hatch chile corn relish with Hatch salted creme fraiche, sweety drop peppers and toasted pine nuts).

— robert philpot, star-telegram, "Hatching dinner plans: Central Market launches green-chile fest (update)," 9 Aug. 2017
Pockets of spring onion relish and pine nut gremolata in a gossamer sauce of turmeric and ginger whey deepened and enriched the dish.

— providence cicero, The Seattle Times, "A bigger canvas for Seattle’s Art of the Table," 20 July 2017
A typical pork hot dog contains 204 calories and 18 g of total fat and 620 g of sodium — and this is before condiments like ketchup, mustard and relish are added.

— mahita gajanan, Time, "What Hot Dogs Do to Your Body," 19 July 2017
Water-dense cucumbers and creamy avocado, a fruit loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory carotenoids, are blended into a refreshing soup and topped with an easy tomato relish.

— emily watson, Philly.com, "Summer skin from the inside out," 13 July 2017
Let the children and unenlightened folk worry about gently spreading relish across the side of their bun.

— the si staff, SI.com, "Debate Time! Should you put toppings on your hot dog?," 4 July 2017
From a grand recipe for sweet-and-smoky baby back ribs to a hot dog with spicy relish topping to chicken and salads, there is something for everyone.

— susan selasky, Detroit Free Press, "Get your grill on: Celebrate the 4th with these recipes," 1 July 2017
Killer Kilbane Dog This one is an overload for the tongue: Available at the Happy Dog stand, the Kilbane features relish, peanut butter and sriracha sauce.

— jon tayler, SI.com, "Your guide to the best—and weirdest—ballpark food from all 30 MLB stadiums," 30 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of relish

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1530

See Words from the same year

relish Synonyms

Synonyms

appetite, fancy, favor, fondness, like, love, love affair, partiality, preference, liking, shine, taste, use

Antonyms

aversion, disfavor, disgust, dislike, distaste, hatred, loathing, mislike

Related Words

craving, desire, hankering, longing, thirst, yen; enthusiasm, gusto, interest, passion; bias, prejudice; bent, inclination, leaning, propensity, tendency; tooth; palate; weakness

Near Antonyms

apathy, disinclination; indifference, unconcern

relish

verb

Definition of relish

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

play \ˈre-li-shə-bəl\ adjective

See relish defined for English-language learners

Examples of relish in a Sentence

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 of relish from the Web

Head coach Paul Chryst relishes using multiple tight ends to create mismatches.

— jeff potrykus, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "UW's Zander Neuville is more comfortable in second year of being tight end," 28 Aug. 2017
If the Montenegro forward joins Monaco, then the former Manchester City and Fiorentina forward will surely relish playing alongside Falcao.

— USA TODAY, "Falcao scores 2 as Monaco routs Marseille 6-1," 27 Aug. 2017
Swansea conceded four against Manchester United last week, and the Belgian striker will no doubt be relishing the opportunity to challenge the Swans' defence.

— SI.com, "Crystal Palace vs Swansea City Preview: Classic Encounter, Key Battle, Team News & More," 25 Aug. 2017
From cosmopolitan art galleries and boutiques to lively local dives, here are some of the sights, sounds, and tastes to relish in this unique place to get away.

— Daily Intelligencer, "Why Toronto Is Known as ‘Canada’s Downtown’," 12 Aug. 2017
Strikingly, for all the media attention on the case (propagated by Shkreli's troll-y Twitter antics and relish for stirring the pot), the trial verdict had nothing to do with the drug price hike that thrust him into the national limelight.

— sy mukherjee, Fortune, "Newly Convicted ‘Pharma Bro’ Martin Shkreli Shined a Light on Pharma’s Biggest Scandals," 4 Aug. 2017
And Trump seems to relish it, too, with those ridiculous tweets of his.

— john kass, chicagotribune.com, "Can new White House chief of staff impose discipline where it counts?," 28 July 2017
Unlike many finance chieftains who strive not to say anything controversial, Cryan seems to relish going off-message.

— edward robinson, Bloomberg.com, "Can John Cryan Save Deutsche Bank From Itself?," 25 July 2017
TEXTS AND TEMPERS Ryan Poston's friend, mentor and chess rival, attorney Ken Hawley, relished their competitive matches that would sometimes stretch out over days.

— CBS News, "Obsessed: Part 2," 15 July 2017

First Known Use of relish

1586

relish Synonyms

Synonyms

adore, delight (in), dig, fancy, get off (on), groove (on), like, love, rejoice (in), enjoy, revel (in), savor (also savour)

Related Words

admire, appreciate, cherish, revere, venerate, worship; prize, treasure, value; devour, drink (in), eat (up), feast (on); dote (on), idolize; cotton (to), favor, prefer; indulge (in), luxuriate (in), wallow (in)

Near Antonyms

abhor, abominate, detest, dislike, hate, loathe; condemn, despise, scorn

RELISH Defined for English Language Learners

relish

noun

Definition of relish for English Language Learners

: a seasoned sauce that is used to add flavor to other foods and that is made of chopped fruit or vegetables; especially : such a sauce made from pickles
: enjoyment of or delight in something
: a feeling of liking something

relish

verb

Definition of relish for English Language Learners

: to enjoy or take pleasure in (something)

RELISH Defined for Kids

relish

noun rel·ish \ ˈre-lish \

Definition of relish for Students

1 :great enjoyment

He plays the game with relish.

2 :a highly seasoned food eaten with other food to add flavor

relish

verb

Definition of relish for Students

relished; relishing

1 :to be pleased by :enjoy

She relishes the attention she's been getting.

2 :to like the taste of

Learn More about relish

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

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relish

Definition of relish

relishable

Examples of relish in a Sentence

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relish Synonyms

Synonyms

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RELISH Defined for English Language Learners

relish

Definition of relish for English Language Learners

relish

Definition of relish for English Language Learners

RELISH Defined for Kids

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