savor

noun sa·vor \ ˈsā-vər \

variants: or less commonly savour

|Updated on: 6 Jun 2018

Examples: savor in a Sentence

Definition of savor

1 : the taste or smell of something

2 : a particular flavor or smell

3 : a distinctive quality

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savorless

play \ˈsā-vər-ləs\ adjective

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savorous

play \ˈsā-vər-əs, ˈsāv-rəs\ adjective

See savor defined for English-language learners

See savor defined for kids

Examples of savor in a Sentence

Without her love, life has lost its savor for me.
a gourmet who can identify the ingredients in any dish solely by their savor

Recent Examples of savor from the Web

Handcraft never ceases to impress Lovers of craft had lots of savor at NYCxDesign this year.

— jenny xie, Curbed, "All the NYCxDesign 2018 highlights you should know," 30 May 2018
The tri-tip was unfortunately dry and might have been better sliced rather than cubed, but the onion rings on top added savor.

— kate washington, sacbee, "Rancho Cordova's Back to the 80's Café is, like, totally rad | The Sacramento Bee," 9 Mar. 2018
The Israeli pianist David Greilsammer savors bold juxtapositions in his programming, as evidenced by a 2014 recording that placed the 18th-century keyboard works of Domenico Scarlatti in intimate dialogue with the music of John Cage.

— jeremy eichler, BostonGlobe.com, "Sparkling Mozart, spellbinding Donizetti, and dancing Bach," 8 Mar. 2018
Shrimp on sugarcane – a paste that’s a little sweet, with a briny savor – was a great counterpoint to small nibbles of those wildly hot chile peppers.

— kate washington, sacbee, "Dining review: Get your ‘broken rice’ fix at South Sacramento Com Tam Dat Thanh | The Sacramento Bee," 9 Feb. 2018
His mercurial jurisprudence replicates and even gives the savor of legitimacy to a closely divided country.

— michael brendan dougherty, National Review, "Anthony Kennedy Can’t Be Allowed to Die," 23 Jan. 2018
Food at Pujol is prepared in a kitchen with no burners or sauté pans, most dishes seared on a wood grill and finished in an oven to preserve the familiarly Mexican savor of smoke.

— guy trebay, Condé Nast Traveler, "A Food-and-Art Bender in Mexico City," 20 Dec. 2017
Tiger nut—not a nut but a little sedge tuber—is very sweet and very beige, with tiny particles floating throughout and a faint savor of rubber.

— Vogue, "Exploring the Wild World of Milk Alternatives," 15 Dec. 2017
So much that had animated his life had lost its savor.

— eric felten, WSJ, "Review: Is That All There Is?," 19 Oct. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of savor

Middle English, from Anglo-French savur, from Latin sapor, from sapere to taste — more at sage

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

savor Synonyms

savor

verb

variants: or less commonly savour

Definition of savor

savored also savoured; savoring also savouring play \ˈsā-vər-iŋ, ˈsāv-riŋ\

intransitive verb

: to have a specified smell or quality : smack

transitive verb

1 : to give flavor to : season

2 a : to have experience of : taste

b : to taste or smell with pleasure : relish

c : to delight in : enjoy

savoring the moment

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savorer

play \ˈsā-vər-ər\ noun

See savor defined for English-language learners

Examples of savor in a Sentence

He savored the aroma of the baking pies.
They savored every last morsel of food.
She was just savoring the moment.
The team is still savoring its victory.
He savored the memories of his vacation.

Recent Examples of savor from the Web

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was perfect from start to finish, and thanks to the fact that the entire ceremony was televised, viewers got to savor every moment, too.

— amy mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Prince Harry Is Responsible for the Most Emotional Moment at the Royal Wedding," 19 May 2018
Some of them move slowly, taking their time, savoring the moment.

— carl nolte, San Francisco Chronicle, "No lovelier time in SF than May, when spring is in full bloom," 4 May 2018
Specifically how much a player should savor hitting a home run.

— pete grathoff, kansascity, "Chicago Tribune writer blasts Salvador Perez after Royals-White Sox dust-up | The Kansas City Star," 29 Apr. 2018
Just-right for savoring an early-morning espresso, the enticing breakfast room is surrounded by striking French exits, while the family room offers a lesson in laidback luxury with its floor-to-ceiling fireplace column and handsome hardwood floors.

— paula hubbs cohen, azcentral, "Marvelous… Magical… Absolutely Magnificent," 18 Apr. 2018
Tunes 'N Trucks Concert Series, Friday, 6 p.m. Nibble on items from food trucks and savor entertainment as The Vybe perform at this free outdoor event.

— jennifer jhon, South Florida Parenting, "The bunny is back, plus other fun family events for the weekend," 11 Apr. 2018
Friday Tunes 'N Trucks Concert Series, 6 p.m. Nibble on items from food trucks and savor entertainment as The Vybe perform at this free outdoor event.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "events by county," 28 Mar. 2018
However, the loss, coupled with a 8-2 win by the Falcons (24-2, 13-1) against Arcadia on Thursday evening, leaves Crescenta Valley to savor the title for itself.

— jeff tully, latimes.com, "Burbank softball spoils Burroughs' title hopes," 11 May 2018
Now comes the conflicting emotions of time in Slovenia to truly savor the EuroBasket gold, but also to reflect on a playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers that produced only a single victory.

— ira winderman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Goran Dragic faces uncertainty beyond adulation in Slovenia," 3 May 2018