Skip to main content
to zest

to zest

4.6
To add herbs or spices to a dish to make it tastier
  • verb
  • /zɛst/
translation icon : sazonar
  • She likes to zest her soups with a pinch of fresh herbs before serving.

Examples

  • You can zest a lemon to give your dish a fresh flavor.

  • You should zest the lemons before juicing them.

  • The chef decided to zest the marinade with some crushed garlic and thyme.

  • To create a unique flavor, he would zest his dishes with a variety of spices.

  • She zests oranges to make her cakes more flavorful.

  • Before baking the cake, remember to zest the orange peel for added aroma.

  • To enhance the flavor of the sauce, don't forget to zest some lime into it.

Synonyms

to flavor
vsto zest
  • US
73 1.9

To give food or drink a certain taste by adding spices

restricts this to herbs, spices, or flavorings to boost taste
to season
vsto zest
43 1.7

To add salt, herbs, or spices to food

limits action to herbs, spices, or flavorings rather than all additives
to spice
vsto zest
15 2.3

To add plant seasonings to food to give it more flavor

is specific about using herbs, spices, or flavorings
to pepper
vsto zest
9 1.0

To sprinkle a ground spice over food to add taste

is broader, covering many herbs, spices, or other flavorings
to spice up
vsto zest
2 2.8

To add spices or herbs to food to make it taste better

focuses on herbs, spices, or flavorings rather than other changes
to ginger
vsto zest
1 7.0

To add a spicy root to food or to make something more lively

is focused solely on improving taste with herbs, spices, or flavorings

Antonyms

182 1.3

Not interesting or lively

23 2.0

Food that has a very weak taste and little or no strong flavor

Compounds

7 3.0

A thin bright outer layer of a lemon peel that people grate to add flavor

4 2.8

Thin outer skin of an orange grated to add flavor to food

7.6

A food festival celebrating oranges, lemons, and local food

How Flavorful

to zest
4.6
to spice
15 2.3
to season
43 1.7
to flavor
  • US
73 1.9

Surface Forms

zest infinitive
zested past
zested past participle
zesting present participle
zests third person singular

Etymology

The verb zest comes from the same French zeste, the idea of adding a small, strong 'flavor' to food. So to zest a dish is to give it extra, lively taste.