English Reference

Word

savor

Phoneticssa·vor, stress on the first syllable

/ˈseɪvɝ/

UK spelling · savour

Definition

v. to enjoy a feeling, food, or experience slowly and completely. You do this when you want to make a good moment last as long as possible.

v. to enjoy or appreciate something fully, especially by dwelling on it or experiencing it slowly. Often used with abstract nouns like 'moment', 'victory', or 'success'.

Examples

“He took a small bite of the cake to savor the flavor.”

“After years of hard work, she took a week off just to savor the feeling of her promotion.”

“The retired professor sat on the porch, content to savor the quiet stillness of the morning before the rest of the household awoke.”

Examples

simple

“He took a small bite of the cake to savor the flavor.”

contextual

“After years of hard work, she took a week off just to savor the feeling of her promotion.”

complex

“The retired professor sat on the porch, content to savor the quiet stillness of the morning before the rest of the household awoke.”

Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. In British English, it is spelled 'savour'.

Pitfall

He savored about the meal.

He savored the meal.

Savor is a transitive verb and does not require a preposition like 'about' before its object.

Real-World Examples

“Just before I took her to the vet for the final time, she savoured an ice-cream and lay on the grass in the sunshine in the garden.”
BBC News 15 Aug 2026
“Savor those connected, cloud‑based conveniences while you can—the clock is already ticking on their obsolescence.”
Ars Technica 21 Jul 2026

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
Frequency
Occasional
Level
C1 · Advanced
Updated

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English Reference