1
a
: lively excitement : a feeling of enjoyment and enthusiasm
We'd hoped to recapture some of the zest [=energy] and enthusiasm of youth at the reunion.
She has a real zest for life. [=she enjoys life very much]
b
: a lively quality that increases enjoyment, excitement, or energy
His humor added zest to the performance.
His humor added a certain zest to the performance.
2
: small pieces of the skin of a lemon, orange, or lime that are used to flavor food
The recipe calls for a tablespoon of lemon zest.
Cite this Entry
“Zest.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/zest. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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