zest
11 synonyms and 1 antonym for zest, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The outer, colourful peel of a citrus fruit, grated or peeled off for its flavour.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
The outer, colourful peel of a citrus fruit, grated or peeled off for its flavour.
“Add the zest of one lemon to the batter.”
2. noun
Great enthusiasm and enjoyment.
“He tackled every new project with real zest.”
Opposites
How to use zest
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
lemon zest
zest for life
add zest to
Etymology
From French zeste, originally referring to the peel used to flavour dishes and drinks.
Full origin of zest →Frequently asked questions
What does “zest” mean?
The word “zest” means the outer, colourful peel of a citrus fruit, grated or peeled off for its flavour. In plain terms, either the flavourful outer peel of citrus fruit, or a lively enthusiasm for doing something.
How do you pronounce “zest”?
“Zest” is pronounced zehst (/zɛst/ in IPA).
How do you use “zest” in a sentence?
Here is “zest” used in a sentence: “Add the zest of one lemon to the batter.”
What part of speech is “zest”?
Depending on how it is used, “zest” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “zest” come from?
The word “zest” comes from French. From French zeste, originally referring to the peel used to flavour dishes and drinks.
How many meanings does “zest” have?
“Zest” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the outer, colourful peel of a citrus fruit, grated or peeled off for its flavour.
