savor

1 of 2

noun

sa·​vor ˈsā-vər How to pronounce savor (audio)
variants or less commonly savour
1
: the taste or smell of something
2
: a particular flavor or smell
3
: a distinctive quality
savorless adjective
savorous
ˈsā-vər-əs How to pronounce savor (audio)
ˈsāv-rəs
adjective

savor

2 of 2

verb

variants or less commonly savour
savored also savoured; savoring also savouring ˈsā-vər-iŋ How to pronounce savor (audio)
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 noun

Example Sentences

Noun 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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
At intermission, place your final bids for auction items and savor assorted pies and cakes, tea or coffee. Sam Boyer, cleveland, 13 Jan. 2023 Set up in the camp’s lodge, the gathering will include tastings, an area to sip spirits and savor smoked meats, indoor and outdoor activities, and music. Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 22 Sep. 2022 Sip and savor, but don’t take too long, as each guest will only have ten minutes to enjoy this mini-bar. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2022 Sit down to savor Priscilla Long’s evocative musings on writing. Longreads, 28 Jan. 2022 Ladies, call your besties and join the fun at the next Girls Night Out on Main Street, scheduled for Nov. 17 starting at 5 p.m. Plan to shop, sip, savor and stroll among all of the participating shops and restaurants. Janet Kusterer, Baltimore Sun, 9 Nov. 2022 Love is an all-consuming indulgence to savor, comparable to the residual morsel of a melty Italian dishful of Caponata. Malik Peay, Essence, 24 Oct. 2022 Dress for the occasion and head to The Ritz to dine in the lavish original ballroom or savor treats in the spectacular Thames Foyer of The Savoy. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2022 Not 200 years have passed since St. Patrick converted the island to Christianity, but that’s more than enough time for this religious community to have lost some of its savor and fallen into a comfortable routine. Ron Charles, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2022
Verb
There's a healthy amount of Irish whiskey in here to keep you toasty, so make sure to savor it slowly. Christy Piña, Woman's Day, 30 Jan. 2023 Arlene headed home to savor the bittersweet victory. CBS News, 24 Sep. 2022 Here is what to savor one last time this fall before 2024 begins a new era of college football: THE FINAL SEASON OF... Mike Rodak | Mrodak@al.com, al, 20 Feb. 2023 But when seeking a second or vacation home, even the most ardent crowd aficionados are likely to savor undiscovered jewels unknown to the teeming masses. Jeffrey Steele, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2023 That also brings us to NFC coach Eli Manning, Peyton's younger brother, who also got to savor the victory over his older sibling. Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2023 The property is designed with plenty of secluded spots to savor each other’s company including swings, day beds, and plunge pools overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Jordi Lippe, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2023 Those who could, however, were determined to savor one last meal. Amy Verner, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2023 For the time being, the family, who have been documenting their journey via their website 5 in the Sky, are taking things day by day, and trying to savor every moment of their incredible journey. Tamara Hardingham-gill, CNN, 30 Jan. 2023 See More

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.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of savor was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near savor

Cite this Entry

“Savor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/savor. Accessed 22 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

savor

1 of 2 noun
sa·​vor ˈsā-vər How to pronounce savor (audio)
1
: the taste and odor of something
2
: something clearly marking one as different from others
savorless adjective

savor

2 of 2 verb
savored; savoring ˈsāv-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce savor (audio)
1
: to have a specified smell or quality
2
: to give flavor to
3
: to taste or smell with pleasure : relish
savorer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on savor

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