zest

noun

ˈzest 

1

: a piece of the peel of a citrus fruit (such as an orange or lemon) used as flavoring

2

: an enjoyably exciting quality : piquancy

adds zest to the performance

3

: keen enjoyment : relish, gusto

has a zest for living

zestful

ˈzest-fəl 

adjective

zestfully

ˈzest-fə-lē 

adverb

zestfulness noun

zestless

ˈzest-ləs 

adjective

Did you know?

Zest and Cooking

Zest can spice up your life—fitting for a word that English acquired from the world of cooking. Zest comes from French zeste, the name for orange or lemon peel used to flavor food or drinks. English speakers adopted the French meaning and developed an additional one referring to any quality that adds enjoyment to something in the same way that the zest of an orange or lemon adds flavor to food.

Synonyms

• nip
• piquancy
• pungency
• spice
• tang
• zing

Examples of zest in a Sentence

His humor added zest to the performance.

His humor added a certain zest to the performance.

The recipe calls for a tablespoon of lemon zest.

Recent Examples on the Web

Its zest adds a jolt to the gentle spices of the hot dog — detectable in the vegetarian option as well — resulting in a dynamic blend of flavors to fuel a round of pinball at one of the old-school machines lining Lyman’s back hall. —Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023

Lemon zest: For a double dose of tart, lemony flavor. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 20 Nov. 2023

Official tasting notes describe a blend of sweet, spice, and smoke on the palate, with notes of dulce de leche, spiced vanilla, cinnamon, orange zest, and of course a dollop of chile heat. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 17 Nov. 2023

This tomato tarragon candle from Apotheke has a garden fresh scent with notes of orange zest to keep their kitchen smelling a summer trip to the farmer’s market all year long. —Anne Loreto Cruz, Bon Appétit, 7 Nov. 2023

Toss arugula with lemon zest, the remaining teaspoon of oil, salt and pepper. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Oct. 2023

Toss the gnocchi with kale, white cheddar, and lemon zest for a creamy side or hearty main dish. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2023

Sheet Pan Turkey Breast Roulade With Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans and Shallots Ellie Krieger offers an elegant solution for a boneless turkey breast, featuring a filling that is basically a cranberry sauce with pecans, maple syrup, thyme and orange zest. —Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 13 Nov. 2023

While turkey roasts, stir together orange zest and juice, allspice, cloves, ginger and cinnamon in a small saucepan; bring to a simmer over medium. —Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 13 Nov. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

obsolete French (now zeste), orange or lemon peel (used as flavoring)

First Known Use

circa 1674, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing zest

• zest for life

• zest for life

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Kids Definition

zest

noun

ˈzest 

1

: a piece of the peel of a citrus fruit (as an orange or lemon) used as a flavoring

2

: a quality that increases enjoyment

added zest to the performance

3

: keen enjoyment : relish

has a zest for life

zestful

-fəl 

adjective

zestfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

zestfulness noun

zesty

ˈzes-tē

adjective

Etymology

from obsolete French zest (now zeste) "orange or lemon peel used for flavoring"

Word Origin

Zest was borrowed into English in the 17th century from the French zest (now spelled zeste), meaning "an orange or lemon peel." Where the French got the word we do not know. The peels of oranges and lemons are sometimes used to add flavor to food and drinks. The earliest uses of zest in English refer to the peel of such fruit used in this way. By the early 18th century, however, zest had developed another meaning. It was used to refer to a quality that adds enjoyment to something, in the same way that the zest of an orange or lemon adds flavor to food.