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flavor

n. C / U
A1 Beginner US //ˈfɫeɪvɝ// UK //flˈeɪvɐ// fla·vor Archaic General-service Informal Slang

n. the particular taste of a food or drink. You can also use it to describe the special quality or style of something.

n. the distinctive taste of a substance or the combination of taste and smell that characterises it. In a figurative sense, it refers to a particular quality, atmosphere, or characteristic style.


SIMPLE

This ice cream has a strong vanilla flavor.

CONTEXTUAL

The chef added fresh herbs to the sauce to enhance its natural flavor before serving.

COMPLEX

The local architecture has a distinct Mediterranean flavor, reflecting the historical influence of coastal trade routes on the city's development.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English flavour meaning “smell, odour”, usually pleasing, borrowed from Old French flaour (“smell, odour”) (cfr. Sicilian ciàguru, its etymology and semantic), from Vulgar Latin flātor (“odour, that which blows”), from Latin flātor (“blower”), from flō, flāre (“to blow, puff”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European bʰleh₁- (“to blow”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰel- (“to make a loud noise”). Doublet of blow and bleat.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the general quality of taste; countable when referring to specific varieties or types.

Pitfall

The soup has a good taste of garlic.The soup has a good flavor of garlic.While 'taste' is the physical sense, 'flavor' is the specific characteristic of the food itself; learners often over-rely on 'taste' for specific ingredients.

Idioms1 entry

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