savor

1 of 3

noun (1)

sa·​vor ˈsā-vər 

variants or less commonly savour

1

: the taste or smell of something

2

: a particular flavor or smell

3

: a distinctive quality

savorless

ˈsā-vər-ləs 

adjective

savorous

ˈsā-vər-əs 

ˈsāv-rəs

adjective

savor

2 of 3

verb

variants or less commonly savour

savored also savoured; savoring also savouring 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

savorer

ˈsā-vər-ər 

noun

savorer

3 of 3

noun (2)

sa·​vor·​er ˈsāv(ə)rə(r) 

plural -s

: one that savors

a savorer, content to taste and retaste what was best or most flavorsome in the volumes he cherished

—John Mason Brown

Synonyms of savor

Noun (1)

• taste
• flavor

Verb

• flavor
• spice

Examples of savor in a Sentence

Noun (1)

Without her love, life has lost its savor for me.

a gourmet who can identify the ingredients in any dish solely by their savor

Verb

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 on the Web

Verb

Carmy vowed to get the restaurant out of debt before savoring some soul-searching and crafting a new recipe for success. — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 24 June 2026

Instead, Riley gets to savor the taste of vindication. — Miami Herald, 23 June 2026

Surrounded by gentle hills, sprawling ranch land, and winding country roads, the landscape invites visitors to slow down and savor the scenery. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 23 June 2026

For most New Yorkers looking to savor the Knicks’ first NBA championship in 53 years, a commemorative T-shirt—perhaps purchased bootleg outside Madison Square Garden—will have to do. — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 22 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing savor

• savor of

Rhymes for savor

• aver
• braver
• craver
• favor
• favour
• flavor
• flavour
• graver
• paver
• quaver
• raver
• saver

Kids Definition

savor

1 of 2 noun

sa·​vor ˈsā-vər 

1

: the taste and odor of something

2

: something clearly marking one as different from others

savorless

-ləs 

adjective

savor

2 of 2 verb

savored; savoring ˈsāv-(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to have a specified smell or quality

2

: to give flavor to

3

: to taste or smell with pleasure : relish

savorer

ˈsā-vər-ər 

noun