flavors

IPA/ˈfleɪ.vər/
KK[flˈevɚz]IPA/ˈfleɪ.vɚ/

flavors — noun

1. the particular taste that a food or drink has, including how it feels in your mo

1.nounA2
Definition

the particular taste that a food or drink has, including how it feels in your mouth and what it reminds you of

Example

This strawberry ice cream has a rich, creamy flavor that reminds me of summer.

The chef added fresh basil to give the tomato sauce a more intense flavor.

collocation: rich / intense / sweet + flavor

Common collocations
  • rich flavor
  • sweet flavor
  • strong flavor
  • intense flavor
  • add flavor
  • give flavor
  • bring out the flavor
Synonyms
  • taste

    more general; 'taste' can mean the physical sensation, while 'flavor' often includes smell and texture

  • savor

    more formal; emphasizes the enjoyment of a taste

  • tang

    a sharp, strong flavor, often sour or acidic

Antonyms

Usage Note

In American English, 'flavor' refers only to taste; in everyday use it often includes smell as well, since taste and smell work together.

Common Mistakes

This is a lemon flavor drink.
This is a lemon-flavored drink.' or 'This drink has a lemon flavor.
'Flavor' is a noun, not an adjective; use the adjective form 'flavored' (with -ed) to describe what a food or drink tastes like.

2. a particular quality, style, or atmosphere that makes something feel distinctive

2.nounB2
Definition

a particular quality, style, or atmosphere that makes something feel distinctive, interesting, or special

Example

The old town has kept its traditional flavor with narrow streets and local markets.

collocation: traditional / local / unique + flavor

Nikos added some humor to the speech, giving it a warm and friendly flavor.

Common collocations
  • local flavor
  • traditional flavor
  • unique flavor
  • international flavor
  • give something a ... flavor
Synonyms
  • character

    similar meaning, but more general; 'character' describes the overall personality of something

  • atmosphere

    focuses on the mood or feeling of a place rather than its style

  • stamp

    a distinctive mark or influence; more formal

Usage Note

This sense is often used with adjectives like 'local,' 'traditional,' 'international,' or 'European' to describe a place, event, or work. The object is typically an abstract quality, not a physical taste.

Common Mistakes

The music festival had a delicious flavor.
The music festival had a festive flavor.' or 'The music festival had a unique atmosphere.
'Delicious' describes literal taste (sense 1), so it clashes with the figurative sense. Use adjectives like 'unique,' 'traditional,' 'local,' or 'international' with figurative 'flavor.'

3. a short experience or small amount of something that gives you a quick idea of w

3.nounB2
Definition

a short experience or small amount of something that gives you a quick idea of what it is like

Example

The internship gave me a flavor of what it is like to be a teacher.

phrase: get / give a flavor of [sth]

Visitors to the pottery studio can get a flavor of how the craft works.

Common collocations
  • a flavor of
  • get a flavor of
  • give a flavor of
  • offer a flavor of
Synonyms
  • taste

    same meaning in this phrase; 'a taste of' and 'a flavor of' are interchangeable for brief experiences

  • sample

    more direct; a sample is usually a physical example, while 'flavor' is more suggestive

  • glimpse

    a quick look; used for visual experiences rather than general experiences

Grammar Patterns

get a flavor of

a flavor of

Usage Note

Almost always used in the fixed phrase 'a flavor of' with verbs like 'get,' 'give,' or 'offer.' Unlike sense 1, this sense cannot refer to actual food taste.

flavors — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Flavor' and 'taste' are the most common pair. 'Taste' is the broader word: it covers the five basic sensations (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami) plus the general experience of eating. 'Flavor' goes further — it includes smell, texture, and the overall impression a food leaves in your mouth. You can say 'this soup has an odd taste' (a basic sensation), but 'this soup has a rich, smoky flavor' (a fuller experience). 'Savor' is more formal and suggests slow enjoyment ('He savored every bite'). 'Tang' is narrower: a sharp, pungent taste like lemon or vinegar. 'Flavoring' refers to the substance added to create a taste (e.g., vanilla flavoring), not the taste itself. In cooking, chefs talk about 'building layers of flavor'; a casual eater talks about whether the 'taste' is good.

taste ↗savortang ↗flavoring ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • flavor profile
  • flavor combination
  • flavor enhancer

Adverbs

  • strongly flavored
  • lightly flavored
  • artificially flavored
  • naturally flavored

Phrases

  • burst of flavor
  • full of flavor
  • lack of flavor
  • packed with flavor

Prepositions

  • flavor of
  • flavor with
  • flavored with

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'flavor' entered English from Old French 'flaor' (meaning smell or odor), which came from Latin 'flator' (that which blows, a breeze). The spelling was later influenced by 'savor,' which arrived via a similar path from Latin 'sapor' (taste). In American English, the spelling 'flavor' (without 'u') is standard; British English uses 'flavour.' The figurative sense (character/quality) appeared in the 1600s, and the verb sense (to add flavor) followed in the 1700s.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b Verb