relish

noun rel·ish \ ˈre-lish \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Examples: relish in a Sentence

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

See relish defined for English-language learners

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

The ogo, or seaweed, relish for the fish will contain herbs from the Washington Place garden.

— Washington Post, "Japanese royal couple on first official US visit," 5 June 2018
With relish: The New York Mets lost nine of their first 26 games, proud occupants of first place in the NL East on the last day of April.

— bill shaikin, latimes.com, "Three up, three down: Justin Verlander and Bryce Harper speak, NL West sinks," 19 May 2018
Peel 1 onion and cut into quarters; set one quarter aside for the relish.

— claire saffitz, Bon Appetit, "Braised Short Ribs with a Pretty Great Bacon-Pineapple Situation on Top," 19 Feb. 2018
The President's new lawyer Rudy Giuliani has taken up the assault with relish, saying Trump is not a perpetrator but the victim of circumstances that compare to the most notorious political scandal in American history.

— stephen collinson, CNN, "Polar opposites Trump and Mueller barrel toward a showdown," 30 May 2018
Think seared wild salmon over rice pilaf topped with creamy avocado tzatziki sauce and fresh tomato oregano relish; shrimp and white wine squid-ink ravioli with prawns sautéed in a roasted garlic white wine butter sauce.

— lauren daley, BostonGlobe.com, "Providence is bursting with new things to see, do, and eat," 23 May 2018
For the Tartar Sauce: Combine the mayonnaise, Cajun seasoning, lime juice and sweet pickle relish.

— San Antonio Express-News, "Recipe: Wild Boar Burgers with Cajun Tartar Sauce," 21 May 2018
He was noticed in what Itzkoff depicts with relish as a scatterbrained television business.

— david thomson, San Francisco Chronicle, "‘Robin,’ by Dave Itzkoff," 10 May 2018
Lazarick’s menu, not quite final, will include a roast pork sandwich with Provolone, long-hot relish and Lost Bread Co.’s seeded roll, as well as sour cream-and-onion dip served with potato chips.

— michael klein, Philly.com, "Morgan's Pier names Adam Lazarick chef for 2018," 2 Apr. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

relish Synonyms

relish

verb

relished; relishing; relishes

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

Where a lot of strategy games tend to relish in excessive stats and variables, Fire Emblem has long managed to keep things pared back and streamlined without removing any sort of challenge.

— joshua rivera, GQ, "Every Video Game Worth Paying Attention to from E3 2018," 14 June 2018
But journalists and lawyers said that the department’s handling of Ms. Watkins’s case was a sign that those guardrails might be on their way out, under a president who relishes taunting the press.

— New York Times, "In Targeting Times Reporter, Justice Dept. Backs Trump’s Anti-Press Rhetoric," 10 June 2018
Walter was an avid hunter, enjoyed playing softball, and was a hard core New England Patriots fan who relished DJing at parties.

— courant.com, "Walter Greene jr.," 4 June 2018
Please relish in the creepiness of this story with me.

— refinery29.com, "I Have a New Favorite Westworld Character & It’s Ford’s Very Good Boy," 4 June 2018
What the Countach really offers is a counterpoint to the Steve Jobs model: the notion that a team leader who inspires genius must be a hard-driving visionary who relishes getting into the weeds.

— sam walker, WSJ, "In Chasing Perfection, Ferruccio Lamborghini Took the Fast Lane," 31 May 2018
Iguodala is a former finals MVP who greatly relishes this defensive assignment, which also consistently falls to Durant.

— k.c. johnson, chicagotribune.com, "NBA Finals matchup: Who has edge between Warriors-Cavaliers?," 30 May 2018
Kids in the Houston area are finally free of the shackles of the 2017-2018 school year and relishing in the sweet bliss of their summer vacation.

— craig hlavaty, Houston Chronicle, "How Houston's '80s, '90s kids spent their summer vacations," 25 May 2018
The government is also relishing in Trump’s warm embrace, his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and his nullifying of the nuclear deal with Israel’s arch-enemy Iran.

— aron heller, The Seattle Times, "Israelis go wild after Eurovision Song Contest victory," 13 May 2018

First Known Use of relish

1586

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

relish Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Near Antonyms

abhor, abominate, detest, dislike, hate, loathe;

condemn, despise, scorn;

prize, treasure, value;

devour, drink (in), eat (up), feast (on);

dote (on), idolize;

cotton (to), favor, prefer;

indulge (in), luxuriate (in), wallow (in);

Phrases

be partial to, get a kick out of (or charge), go for, have a soft spot for, take to;

RELISH Defined for English Language Learners

relish

noun

: 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