savor

Savor is a verb meaning to taste and enjoy the flavor of something, or to appreciate or relish something fully. As a noun, savor can refer to a distinctive taste or smell, or to the enjoyment derived from a sensory experience. The term comes from Old French savourer, from Latin sapor, saporem, meaning taste or flavor.

In American English, savor is the common spelling; savour is used in British English and many other varieties. The related adjective savory (or savoury) describes food with a salty, spicy, or umami flavor profile rather than sweet, and can also be used more broadly to indicate something agreeable or respectable. In some contexts, savory can refer to non-sweet flavors or to appealing sensory qualities.

Usage and nuance: savor is frequently used with the sense of deliberate enjoyment—savoring a meal, savoring a moment, or savoring memories. The noun sense may describe the specific taste or aroma of a dish, for example, a lingering savor after the first bite or the scent of autumn air.

In culinary writing and tasting contexts, savor denotes the overall impression of flavor, including balance, depth, and finish. Beyond food, savoring is sometimes discussed in psychology and lifestyle writing as a strategy for enhancing positive experiences through attention, memory, and anticipation.

Savor thus encompasses both the act of tasting and the broader idea of fully appreciating sensory or experiential pleasures.