savour

UK: /ˈseɪvə^r/

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

savour, savor / ˈseɪvə/ noun

1. the quality in a substance that is perceived by the sense of taste or smell
2. a specific taste or smell: the savour of lime
3. a slight but distinctive quality or trace
4. the power to excite interest: the savour of wit has been lost

verb

1. (intransitive) often followed by of: to possess the taste or smell (of)
2. (intransitive) often followed by of: to have a suggestion (of)
3. (transitive) to give a taste to; season
4. (transitive) to taste or smell, esp appreciatively
5. (transitive) to relish or enjoy

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French savour, from Latin sapor taste, from sapere to taste

ˈsavourless, ˈsavorless adjective

ˈsavorous adjective

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

sa•vor /ˈseɪvɚ/   n. 

1. [uncountable] the quality in a substance that affects the sense of taste or of smell.

v. [~ + object]

2. to sense (something) by taste or smell, esp. with enjoyment:
   savored the rich-tasting cigar.
3. to give oneself to the enjoyment of:
   savored the sweet feeling of victory.

Also,[esp. Brit.,] sa′vour. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

sa•vor  (sā′vər), n. 

1. the quality in a substance that affects the sense of taste or of smell.
2. a particular taste or smell.
3. distinctive quality or property.
4. power to excite or interest.
5. [Archaic.] repute.

v.i. 

6. to have savor, taste, or odor.
7. to exhibit the peculiar characteristics;
   smack (often fol. by of ):
   His business practices savor of greed.

v.t. 

8. to give a savor to;
   season;
   flavor.
9. to perceive by taste or smell, esp. with relish:
   to savor the garden's odors.
10. to give oneself to the enjoyment of:
    to savor the best in life.

Also,[esp. Brit.,] sa′vour. 

• Late Latin sapōrāre, derivative of sapor
• Old French savourer
• Latin sapōrem, accusative of sapor taste, derivative of sapere to taste (compare sapient); (verb, verbal) Middle English sav(o)uren
• Old French savour
• (noun, nominal) Middle English sav(o)ur 1175–1225

sa′vor•er, n. 
sa′vor•ing•ly, adv. 
sa′vor•less, adj. 
sa′vor•ous, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1. relish, smack; odor, scent, fragrance. See taste. 

Usage

See -or ¹.