flavour: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to slightly formal
Quick answer
What does “flavour” mean?
the distinctive taste of a food or drink.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the distinctive taste of a food or drink
A distinctive quality, character, or atmosphere; a particular variety or type; to give flavour to something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'flavour' (BrE) vs. 'flavor' (AmE). Pronunciation differs accordingly. Usage is largely parallel.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both varieties. Slight tendency for BrE to use 'flavour' more in abstract senses (e.g., 'political flavour').
Frequency
Comparatively high frequency in both varieties. Slightly more common in BrE corpus data due to spelling-inclusive counts.
Grammar
How to Use “flavour” in a Sentence
N of N (the flavour of strawberries)Adj N (a bitter flavour)V N with N (flavour the soup with herbs)V N Adj (it flavours the dish nicely)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flavour” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We flavour the custard with real vanilla.
- The sauce is flavoured with rosemary and garlic.
American English
- They flavor the ice cream with natural ingredients.
- The chips are flavored with barbecue seasoning.
adverb
British English
- The dish was flavourfully prepared.
- It's a richly flavoured stew.
American English
- The soup was flavorfully seasoned.
- A weakly flavored drink.
adjective
British English
- She bought flavour-enhancing yeast extract.
- It's a popular flavour compound in confectionery.
American English
- This is a flavor-neutral oil for cooking.
- They conducted a flavor-preference study.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically for product characteristics or market trends (e.g., 'a new flavour of software').
Academic
Used in food science, chemistry, and cultural studies (e.g., 'the flavour profile of a wine').
Everyday
Extremely common in discussing food, drink, and general experiences (e.g., 'I don't like the flavour of this medicine').
Technical
Specific usage in physics (quantum chromodynamics: quark flavour) and food technology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flavour”
- Using 'flavour' to mean 'smell' or 'odour' (a related but distinct sense). Incorrect: 'The flavour of the flowers is nice.' Correct: 'The scent of the flowers is nice.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is usually uncountable when referring to taste in general (e.g., 'This soup has great flavour'). It can be countable when referring to a specific type (e.g., 'We offer six different flavours of ice cream').
'Flavour' combines taste and smell. 'Taste' is more specific to the sensation on the tongue (sweet, sour, etc.). 'Savour' (BrE) / 'savor' (AmE) is less common and often implies enjoying a flavour slowly or appreciating its quality.
It is a transitive verb meaning 'to give flavour to'. Pattern: flavour + object (+ with + ingredient). E.g., 'Flavour the sauce with lemon juice.'
It means a person or thing that is currently very popular or fashionable, but this popularity is often seen as temporary or faddish.
the distinctive taste of a food or drink.
Flavour is usually neutral to slightly formal in register.
Flavour: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfleɪvə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfleɪvɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “flavour of the month”
- “flavour the deal”
- “leave a bad flavour in one's mouth”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
FLAVOUR: Food's Lovely Aroma & Variety Offers Ultimate Refreshment.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS/EXPERIENCES ARE FOOD (e.g., 'a book full of philosophical flavour').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'flavour' used metaphorically?