savor

1 of 2

noun

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 2

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

Synonyms of savor

Noun

• taste
• flavor

Verb

• flavor
• spice

Examples of savor in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Peak-season crowds begin to thin, evening breezes feel a little cooler and the countdown to Labor Day serves as a reminder to savor the season before shorter autumn days arrive. — Martie Bowser, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

If the diary entries are any indication, Fauci, in the midst of the pandemic, also savored his own press coverage and lionization. — Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026

Whether enjoying a refined meal at Bourbon Steak or lingering over a leisurely dinner as the sun sets over the Pacific, guests are invited to savor moments that feel distinctly rooted in place. — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 31 July 2026

Yet my party of work friends lingered, seeming to savor the change of venue. — Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026

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

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