relish

1 of 2

noun

rel·​ish ˈre-lish How to pronounce relish (audio)
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

relish

2 of 2

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 adjective

Examples of relish in a Sentence

Noun 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. Verb 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 on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The spicy smashburger pick features pepper jack cheese, pineapple relish, shredded lettuce, pickled jalapenos, and pineapple habanero aioli. Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Nov. 2025 That was one last flourish of self-laceration, and there is definitely a matching strain of masochism in Hopkins—not so much a relish of suffering as a rueful acknowledgment that earthly woe is our due. Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
Linebacker Tatum Bethune, rather than relish in his 16-tackle production last game, turned his attention to takeaways. Cam Inman, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025 But even with a difficult obstacle ahead, the light is still on for Walpole, and quarterback Blake Pileski relishes the challenge in front of him. Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for relish

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1566, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of relish was in 1530

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Relish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relish. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

relish

1 of 2 noun
rel·​ish ˈrel-ish How to pronounce relish (audio)
1
: a pleasing appetizing taste
2
: a small bit added for flavor : dash
3
a
: enjoyment or delight in something
eat with great relish
b
: a strong liking
4
: a highly seasoned food (as of pickles or mustard) eaten with other food to add flavor

relish

2 of 2 verb
1
: to add relish to
2
: to be pleased by : enjoy
3
: to eat or drink with pleasure
relishable adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on relish

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