What does savour mean?
Savour means to enjoy or appreciate something with care and full attention. As a verb, it commonly describes lingering over a pleasant experience, such as savouring a quiet moment, a triumph, or the aroma of a meal. It conveys more deliberate pleasure than simply enjoying something quickly or casually. As a noun, a savour is a distinctive taste or flavour, as in “the rich savour of the cheese,” though it can also refer figuratively to an appealing quality or atmosphere, such as “the savour of victory.” The word is especially common in British English; American English normally uses the spelling “savor.” Its usefulness lies in its suggestion of considered appreciation: savouring a moment means noticing and relishing it rather than merely passing through it.
To enjoy or appreciate an experience, sensation, or moment fully and with care.
"He savoured every moment of his victory."
Often used figuratively with time, achievements, sights, sounds, and other experiences.
A distinctive taste or flavour; figuratively, a quality or atmosphere that can be appreciated or relished.
"The herbs add a fresh savour to the soup."
Usually used in the singular or as a mass noun, especially in expressions such as “the savour of success.”
Plural forms are used when referring to several distinct tastes, flavours, or qualities; the singular or mass usage is much more common.
"The restaurant is known for its rich, aromatic savours."
To savour a moment is to give it your full attention; the word implies both pleasure and deliberate appreciation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does savour come from?
The word entered Middle English from Anglo-French and Old French forms meaning “taste” or “flavour.” These developed from Latin sapor, “taste” or “flavour,” a word related to sapere, “to taste” or “perceive.” The same Latin root also underlies forms such as sapid and savoury, while the modern British spelling preserves the traditional -our ending.
Related word forms
How savour is actually used
The verb is commonly used with moments, experiences, sights, smells, and tastes. In figurative contexts it often suggests lingering over something pleasurable rather than merely experiencing it. The noun is usually uncountable in expressions such as “the savour of success,” although plural forms occur when referring to distinct tastes or qualities.
Easily confused with savour
Savour and savor have the same meanings, but savour is the usual British spelling and savor is the usual American spelling.
Savour means to enjoy or appreciate an experience or taste, whereas a saviour is a person who rescues or helps others.