savor

USAGE SUMMARY

'savor' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a verb, meaning to enjoy a pleasant experience, or as a noun, meaning a delicate or agreeable taste or smell. Example sentence: He savored the moment, taking a deep breath of the summer air.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Roger Anthony, Timbers Army, Portland: The Timbers used their week off to sit back and savor an unbeaten run that is now just shy of four months.

The Guardian - Sport

Over on Daily Kos, one poster is rewriting the Queen song "We Are the Champions," and another says, "Savor the victory.

The Economist

Noah was following a long tradition, for Utnapishtim (Gilgamesh epic 11 155 161) had, after the Flood, offered sacrifices and libations to the gods who "crowded like flies" as they "smelled the sweet savor".

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Anyone who is creating anything should read this book, slowly, and savor it," Feld says.

Independent

"I've often yearned to live nights like this in the Calderon, so it's a day to savor".

Independent

Its situation must always savor of weakness, sometimes border upon anarchy.

The New Yorker

He seemed to want to savor the last steps of the climb, to prolong them as much as possible.

The New Yorker

Most politicians thrive on overcoming adversity; McCain seems to savor most honor in defeat.

The New Yorker

Though some of Garff's metaphors and friendly interjections ("Hallo, Copenhagen!" he exclaims at one point) savor of loose words exchanged around a porcelain stove, his tone helps create a sense of excitement, of caring, of importance, of — locally and cosmically — scandal.

The New Yorker

Boyd seems to have been put on this earth to savor, and annotate, Nabokov's lavish, many-minded sentences.

The New Yorker

It was no easy thing to imagine a new life just because the previous one had lost its savor.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "savor" to describe a deliberate and mindful appreciation of sensory experiences, moments, or accomplishments. It emphasizes a deeper level of enjoyment than simply "liking" something.

Common error

Avoid using "savor" when the action lacks intention or mindful appreciation. "Savoring" implies a deliberate effort to prolong and enhance enjoyment, not merely experiencing something passively.

Linguistic Context

The word "savor" primarily functions as a verb, indicating the act of enjoying something completely, usually in a conscious and appreciative way. It can also function as a noun, referring to a particular taste or smell, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "savor" functions primarily as a verb, denoting a deep and appreciative enjoyment. Less frequently, it serves as a noun referring to a distinctive taste or smell. As Ludwig AI confirms, "savor" is grammatically correct and widely used in English. The term appears most frequently in News & Media, followed by Encyclopedias and Science contexts.

When considering alternatives, "relish" and "enjoy thoroughly" closely mirror "savor"'s meaning. A key writing best practice is to reserve "savor" for describing intentional, mindful appreciation, avoiding its use for passive experiences. A common mistake is misusing "savor" in situations lacking deliberate enjoyment. Ultimately, "savor" is a versatile word that enriches descriptions of experiences, encouraging a more profound appreciation of the world around us.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

savour every moment

Similar to "savor", adding emphasis to the action performed at every instant.

relish

Similar to "savor", but can also imply a sense of anticipation or enjoyment of something to come.

enjoy thoroughly

Emphasizes the extent of pleasure derived from an experience.

take pleasure in

Focuses on the feeling of enjoyment and satisfaction.

appreciate fully

Highlights the act of recognizing and valuing something.

delight in

Suggests a strong sense of joy and gratification.

drink in

Figurative sense of absorbing something completely and enjoyably.

luxuriate in

Suggests indulging in something pleasurable.

bask in

Implies enjoying a favorable situation or atmosphere.

revel in

Conveys a sense of exuberant enjoyment.

FAQs

How can I use "savor" in a sentence?

"Savor" can be used to describe the act of enjoying something slowly and deliberately. For example, "She took a moment to "savor" the taste of the chocolate." or "They sat back to "savor" the victory after a long season."

What can I say instead of "savor"?

You can use alternatives like "relish", "enjoy thoroughly", or "appreciate fully" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "savor" to describe a negative experience?

While "savor" typically implies a positive experience, it can be used ironically to describe dwelling on a negative experience, though this is less common. A more typical usage would be phrases like "relish the pain" or "take delight in suffering" in these contexts.

What's the difference between "savor" and "relish"?

Both "savor" and "relish" imply enjoyment, but "savor" emphasizes a slow, deliberate appreciation, while "relish" can also suggest a sense of anticipation or finding something particularly pleasing or delightful. For example, "I "savor" every bite of this cake" versus "I "relish" the challenge of a difficult task".