zest

[zest]

noun

1. keen relish; hearty enjoyment; gusto.

2. an agreeable or piquant flavor imparted to something.

3. anything added to impart flavor, enhance one's appreciation, etc.

4. piquancy; interest; charm.

   Synonyms: tang, spice

5. liveliness or energy; animating spirit.

6. the peel, especially the thin outer peel, of a citrus fruit used for flavoring.

   lemon zest.

verb (used with object)

1. to give zest, relish, or piquancy to.

zest

/ zɛst /

noun

1. invigorating or keen excitement or enjoyment

   a zest for living

2. added interest, flavour, or charm; piquancy

   her presence gave zest to the occasion

3. something added to give flavour or relish

4. the peel or skin of an orange or lemon, used as flavouring in drinks, etc

verb

1. (tr) to give flavour, interest, or piquancy to

Other Word Forms

• zestless adjective
• zestfully adverb
• zesty adjective
• zestful adjective
• zestfulness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of zest¹

1665–75; < French zest (now zeste ) orange or lemon peel used for flavoring < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of zest¹

C17: from French zeste peel of citrus fruits used as flavouring, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

The slice of bread is topped with a spread made from ricotta, lemon zest and honey.

From Salon

Corkscrew pasta with spring vegetables — peas, maybe some asparagus, curls of lemon zest — topped with herbed breadcrumbs and a horseradish cream sauce.

From Salon

A splash of cream softened everything into a pale, velvety sauce, and a grating of parmesan and lemon zest nudged it toward something bright and indulgent.

From Salon

An outing in Blue - a "pretentious, self-conscious, literary Western without much zest", according to one critic - didn't help.

From BBC

It’s then individually stuffed with fresh ricotta infused with fresh lemon zest and mixed with butter, bread crumbs and salt.

From Salon

Related Words

• flavoring 
• ginger 
• salt 
• seasoning 
• spice