zest

zest
noun
;zest
Synonyms of zest
1
: a piece of the peel of a citrus fruit (such as an orange or lemon) used as flavoring
2
: an enjoyably exciting quality : piquancy
adds zest to the performance
3
: keen enjoyment : relish, gusto
has a zest for living
zestful
;zest-f;l
 adjective
zestfully
;zest-f;-l;
 adverb
zestfulness noun
zestless
;zest-l;s
 adjective


Did you know?
Zest can spice up your life—fitting for a word that English acquired from the world of cooking. Zest comes from French zeste, the name for orange or lemon peel used to flavor food or drinks. English speakers adopted the French meaning and developed an additional one referring to any quality that adds enjoyment to something in the same way that the zest of an orange or lemon adds flavor to food.

Synonyms
nip
piquancy
pungency
spice
tang
zing
Examples of zest in a Sentence
His humor added zest to the performance.
His humor added a certain zest to the performance.
The recipe calls for a tablespoon of lemon zest.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sixth course: Bourbon and star anise poached pear compote with vanilla bean and rosewater ice cream, cookie crumbs, mint and orange zest.
—Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 14 Oct. 2024
In a medium bowl, whisk together chicken broth, lime zest and juice, oregano, garlic, salt, pepper, and cumin.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Oct. 2024
Armagnac as expressing: Aromas and flavors of plum sauce, caramel on orange zest and dried cherries, rancio, Maduro tobacco, and caramelized brownie and fudge.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024
This Potter Valley Pinot Noir offers a subtle red fruit profile with loads of thyme, fennel, and sage leading to a finish of sea salt and citrus zest.
—Sunset Magazine, 12 Sep. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'zest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.


Word History
Etymology
obsolete French (now zeste), orange or lemon peel (used as flavoring)

First Known Use
circa 1674, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of zest was circa 1674
See more words from the same year
Phrases Containing zest
zest for life
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Dictionary Entries Near zest
Zervanite

zest

zester

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MLA
“Zest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zest. Accessed 18 Oct. 2024.

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Kids Definition
zest

noun
;zest
1
: a piece of the peel of a citrus fruit (as an orange or lemon) used as a flavoring
2
: a quality that increases enjoyment
added zest to the performance
3
: keen enjoyment : relish
has a zest for life
zestful
-f;l
 adjective
zestfully
-f;-l;
 adverb
zestfulness noun
zesty
;zes-t;
 adjective
Etymology
from obsolete French zest (now zeste) "orange or lemon peel used for flavoring"

Word Origin
Zest was borrowed into English in the 17th century from the French zest (now spelled zeste), meaning "an orange or lemon peel." Where the French got the word we do not know. The peels of oranges and lemons are sometimes used to add flavor to food and drinks. The earliest uses of zest in English refer to the peel of such fruit used in this way. By the early 18th century, however, zest had developed another meaning. It was used to refer to a quality that adds enjoyment to something, in the same way that the zest of an orange or lemon adds flavor to food.