savor

C2 Topic:Actions & Processes

Also spelled savour, savoured, savouring, and savours

US /ˈseɪvɝ/ UK /ˈseɪvə/ See IPA manual

Freq #20642

Meanings

1

verb
to enjoy a taste, smell, experience, or moment slowly and appreciatively

She paused to savor the first sip of the rich coffee.
2

noun
a distinctive taste or smell, especially one that is pleasant or characteristic

Fresh herbs gave the stew a brighter savor.
3

noun
a characteristic quality, trace, or suggestion of something

The old tale retains the savor of village life.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to enjoy a taste, smell,... relish enjoy appreciatedelight in

2 noun · a distinctive taste or... flavor taste relish

3 noun · a characteristic quality,... quality trace suggestion

Opposites

dislike rush

Word family

Derived forms savoringsavored

Related forms savorysavoursapid

Simplified etymology

Savour entered English in the Middle Ages and derives from Latin sapere, “to taste.” It may also have influenced the v in flavour, a word that originally referred to fragrance rather than taste.

Etymology

From Middle English savor, from Anglo-French savur, from Latin sapor ("taste, flavor"), related to sapere ("to taste; to be wise"). The American spelling without u became standard through nineteenth-century spelling reform; British English generally keeps savour.

Topics

Actions & Processes Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# savor

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** verb, noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈseɪvɝ/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈseɪvə/
**Frequency rank:** 20642

## Meanings
1. to enjoy a taste, smell, experience, or moment slowly and appreciatively
2. a distinctive taste or smell, especially one that is pleasant or characteristic
3. a characteristic quality, trace, or suggestion of something

## Examples
- She paused to savor the first sip of the rich coffee.
- Fresh herbs gave the stew a brighter savor.
- The old tale retains the savor of village life.

## Synonyms
- relish
- enjoy
- appreciate
- flavor
- taste

## Antonyms
- dislike
- rush

## Derived Forms
- savoring
- savored

## Related Forms
- savory
- savour
- sapid

## Etymology
From Middle English savor, from Anglo-French savur, from Latin sapor ("taste, flavor"), related to sapere ("to taste; to be wise"). The American spelling without u became standard through nineteenth-century spelling reform; British English generally keeps savour.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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