zest
ZEST
/zɛst/
Great enthusiasm and energy; spicy or flavorful relish.
Describes a tangy, spirited approach to life or an activity, adding flavor to existence.
The story behind the word. Zest entered English from the French 'zeste', denoting a thin scrap of orange or lemon peel used to flavor drinks. Because citrus peel delivers an unexpected burst of sharp, bright flavor, English speakers adopted the word as a metaphor for lively human enthusiasm.
Word relationships
- gusto: Gusto emphasizes hearty, energetic enjoyment in action, whereas zest emphasizes citrus-like spirit and flavor.
- relish: Relish focuses on taking pleasure in savoring something specific.
- apathy: Apathy is the total absence of interest or enthusiasm.
- boredom: Boredom is the state of feeling weary and restless through lack of interest.
Commonly confused with
- zeal: Zeal refers to intense devotion to a cause, while zest refers to energetic enjoyment and flavor in life.
Word family
- zesty (adjective): Having a pleasantly strong, spicy, or lively flavor/character.
- zestful (adjective): Full of energy and enthusiasm.
Collocations
- zest for life
- add zest to
- full of zest
- youthful zest
Idioms & expressions
- spice of life
Example sentences
- "Despite her advanced age, grandmother tackled every new day with immense zest." Approach to life
- "His witty commentary added a wonderful zest to the dull lecture." Culinary & figurative flavor
Memory hook
ZEST is lemon skin that adds ZAP and SPICE to food—and to life! Citrus burst of energy.
When not to use
Do not use to describe passive or reluctant participation.
Fun facts
- In 17th-century English, 'zest' was also a verb meaning 'to squirt citrus oil into wine'.
Related words
Explore more words
vibrant, zealous, effervescent, vivacious, exhilarating, brisk
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