Definition

1. Noun:

   • The specific taste or smell of something, especially when pleasant or distinctive: "savour" refers to the characteristic flavor or aroma of food or drink.
   • A quality that makes something interesting or enjoyable: Figuratively, it can mean a distinctive quality that adds interest or enjoyment to an experience.

2. Verb:

   • To enjoy or appreciate something fully and deliberately: To take great pleasure in an experience, especially by enjoying it slowly.
   • To have a suggestion or trace of a particular quality: To possess a slight but noticeable amount of a specific characteristic, often negative.
   • (Archaic) To give flavor or taste to something.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The soup had a rich savour of herbs and garlic.
  • His stories are told with the savour of genuine experience.

• Verb:

  • She paused to savour the moment of victory.
  • His comments savour of hypocrisy.
  • (Archaic) The chef savoured the sauce with a dash of wine.

Advanced Usage

• "To savour the moment/flavour": To consciously enjoy and appreciate an experience as it happens.

  • He sat quietly, savouring the flavour of the fine coffee.

• "To have a savour of": To have a hint or suggestion of a particular quality.

  • The plan has a savour of desperation about it.

Variants and Related Words

• Savoury (Adjective): 1. Having a salty or spicy taste rather than sweet. 2. Morally wholesome or acceptable.
  • We enjoyed a selection of savoury pastries.
• Savourless (Adjective): Lacking flavour or interest; insipid.
  • The critique described the film as visually stunning but emotionally savourless.

Synonyms

• Noun: Flavour, taste, aroma, zest, tang.
• Verb (enjoy): Relish, enjoy, delight in, bask in.
• Verb (suggest): Smack of, suggest, hint at.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

• Savour of (something): To suggest or imply a particular, often negative, quality.
  • His generous offer savoured of an attempt to gain favour.

Related Idioms

• To savour every minute/moment: To enjoy an experience intensely and without rushing.
  • After working so hard, she was determined to savour every minute of her vacation.

Noun

1. the taste experience when a savoury condiment is taken into the mouth

Verb

1. derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
   • She relished her fame and basked in her glory
2. taste appreciatively
   • savor the soup
3. give taste to
4. have flavor; taste of something