savor
B2Formal, literary, and descriptive; used in both written and spoken contexts, but more common in writing.
Definition
Meaning
To enjoy the taste, smell, or experience of something fully and with appreciation.
To experience or appreciate a quality, feeling, or moment deeply and with pleasure; also, a distinctive quality, especially one that is pleasant.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a deliberate, slow, and appreciative enjoyment, often with an element of lingering. Can be used both literally (food/drink) and figuratively (experiences, success, memories).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'savour' is the standard British spelling for both noun and verb; 'savor' is the American spelling. The verb is used similarly in both varieties. The noun form is somewhat more common in British English.
Connotations
Largely identical in both varieties, carrying positive connotations of enjoyment and appreciation.
Frequency
The word is moderately frequent in both varieties, with a slight edge in British English due to the noun's usage in contexts like 'savour of the month' or 'lose its savour'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Verb] + [Direct Object] (e.g., She savored the chocolate.)[Verb] + of + [Noun] (archaic/formal: to suggest or have a trace of a quality, e.g., His offer savored of desperation.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Savor the moment.”
- “Lose its savor (become less interesting or enjoyable).”
- “Savor of (archaic: to have a suggestion of).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; might be used metaphorically in leadership/management contexts, e.g., 'The CEO savored the company's comeback.'
Academic
Used in literary analysis, historical narratives, or psychological studies to describe deep appreciation or quality, e.g., 'The text savors of medieval symbolism.'
Everyday
Commonly used when talking about food, drink, or enjoyable experiences, e.g., 'I'm going to savor this holiday.'
Technical
Not typical in technical fields; primarily a lexical word for sensory experience or appreciation.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She wanted to savour the quiet morning with a cup of tea.
- He savoured the memories of his childhood in the countryside.
American English
- He paused to savor the rich aroma of the coffee.
- They savored their hard-won success for weeks.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I savor my favorite ice cream.
- Savor this cake, it's very good.
- She savored the sweet taste of the dessert.
- We should savor our time on this beautiful beach.
- The chef encouraged us to savor each flavor in the complex dish.
- Having worked so hard, he took a moment to savor his accomplishment.
- The novel's prose savors of the author's deep familiarity with rural life.
- They savored the bittersweet victory, knowing the challenges that still lay ahead.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'savor' and 'flavor' - they rhyme and are closely related. When you SAVOR something, you're enjoying its FLAVOR.
Conceptual Metaphor
ENJOYMENT IS TASTING; TIME IS A RESOURCE TO BE SAVORED (e.g., 'savor every moment').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'savoury' ('острый', 'пикантный'), which is an adjective about taste. 'Savor' is primarily a verb/noun about enjoyment.
- Avoid translating directly as 'наслаждаться' for all contexts; 'savor' implies a slower, more deliberate enjoyment than general 'enjoy'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'savor' as an adjective (correct adjective is 'savory').
- Misspelling as 'savour' in American English or 'savor' in British English.
- Using the archaic construction 'savor of' in modern everyday speech.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'savor' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it often carries a slightly more deliberate, appreciative, or literary tone than simple 'enjoy'.
'Savor' implies a more conscious, lingering, and deep appreciation, often focusing on sensory details or a specific moment, whereas 'enjoy' is more general.
Yes, though less common than the verb. As a noun, it means a characteristic taste, smell, or quality, especially an enjoyable one (e.g., 'the savor of fresh herbs'). This usage is more frequent in British English.
The past tense is regular: 'savored' (American) or 'savoured' (British). Example: 'He savored/savoured every bite.'
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