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

With this fish, less is more: The salty, umami balm of a miso marinade is lightened with lemon zest, which lends floral bittersweetness not unlike that from yuzu. —Eric Kim, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024

Once cake has cooled completely, spread frosting over top of cake, and garnish with lemon zest curls. —Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2024

Grate in the zest of 2 large unwaxed lemons and add 1 clove of garlic, peeled and bashed but kept whole, 100ml olive oil and 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt. —Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 30 Mar. 2024

Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and grated orange zest. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 22 Mar. 2024

Add the vanilla, sour cream, lemon zest and lemon juice and whisk until smooth. —Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024

Lime Zest & Matcha Classic Candle $48.00 This award-winning candle by Nest will boost her energy and brighten her mood with this scented candle featuring invigorating notes of lime zest, green tea, clary sage and bergamot. —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 12 Apr. 2024

Gently mix the fruit, honey, lemon zest and juice, and most of the mint with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. 2. —Yakir Levy, Orange County Register, 11 Apr. 2024

Just before serving, butter, lemon zest and (optional) olives or capers are tossed into the pan drippings, adding creaminess and a tangy, salty spark to the sauce. —Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024

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

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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.