flavor

[ fley-ver ]

noun

1. taste, especially the distinctive taste of something as it is experienced in the mouth.
2. a substance or extract that provides a particular taste; flavoring.

   Synonyms: seasoning

3. the characteristic quality of a thing:

   He captured the flavor of the experience in his book.

   Synonyms: spirit, essence

4. a particular quality noticeable in a thing:

   language with a strong nautical flavor.

5. Physics. any of the six labels given to the distinct kinds of quark: up, down, strange, charm, bottom, and top.
6. Archaic. smell, odor, or aroma.

verb (used with object)

1. to give flavor to (something).

flavor

/ flā′vər /

1. Any of six classifications of quark varieties, distinguished by mass and electric charge. The flavors have the names up, down, strange, charm, top, and bottom. Protons in atomic nuclei are composed of two up quarks and one down quark, while neutrons consist of one up quark and two down quarks. The flavor of a quark may be changed in interactions involving the weak force .

Other Words From

• flavor·less adjective
• de·flavor verb (used with object)
• over·flavor verb
• pre·flavor noun verb (used with object)
• un·flavored adjective
• well-flavored adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of flavor¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French fla(o)ur, from unattested Late Latin flātor “stench, breath,” alteration of Latin flātus a “blowing, breathing,” ( flatus ), perhaps with -or of fētor fetor

Synonym Study

See taste.

Example Sentences

And at Chishuru, whose prix fixe dinner menu is priced at £95, egusi — a seed used in soup, usually served with pounded yam — flavors an ice cream accompanying a meringue sponge.

From New York Times

Her resulting pumpkin blondies — flecked with dark chocolate chips and sea salt — are the perfect solution for holiday bakers who are low on time, but excited to capture seasonal flavors.

From Salon

“You get the sweet and sour taste from the dressing, and you get the smokey grilled flavor from the sausage, combined with the crunchy bread. Hot dogs cover most of your taste cravings.”

From Salon

The concoction was flavored with honey, sesame seeds, pine nuts, licorice and grapes, which were commonly used to make the beverage look like blood.

From Science Daily

Regarding clientele, diners in the UK seem to be more open minded in trying different flavors or cuisines, whereas New Yorkers know exactly what they want and they are going to find it.

From Salon

Related Words

• character
• feel
• feeling
• quality
• style
• tone
• touch