verb / noun

savor

SAY-ver/ˈseɪvər/

A distinctive pleasurable taste.

The older man slowly savors a small spoonful of soup.

White older man slowly enjoys small spoonful of soup.

Etymology

The root names taste or flavor, while the historical verb also meant to appreciate or care for something. Savoring carries that pleasure in tasting into full enjoyment of an experience.

In context

Indonesian Dream Hotels1:50

check-out is conveniently set [music] for 12:00 p.m. providing you with just enough time to savor your final breakfast and soak in those last precious moments of [music] tropical paradise.

Arga Hostelry | Anyer, Indonesia | Hotel Review 🏨

More examples

Fresh basil gives the sauce a distinctive savor.
We savored the quiet after the guests left.
Roasting brings out the rich savor of the mushrooms.

Forms

savor · savors · savored · savoring

savory adjective — Having a pleasantly salty or spicy flavor.

Similar words

flavor: Names a food's taste without necessarily suggesting pleasure.
relish: Emphasizes enthusiastic enjoyment rather than slow, attentive appreciation.
enjoy: Means taking pleasure without emphasizing lingering over the experience.