noun
zest
zehst
Zest (noun) means the outer, colourful peel of a citrus fruit, grated or peeled off for its flavour. Example: “Add the zest of one lemon to the batter.”
noun
1
The outer, colourful peel of a citrus fruit, grated or peeled off for its flavour.
"Add the zest of one lemon to the batter."
"She grated some orange zest over the cake as a garnish."
2
Great enthusiasm and enjoyment.
"He tackled every new project with real zest."
"Her zest for life was infectious."
verb
1
To remove the zest from a piece of citrus fruit.
"Zest the lime before you juice it."
How to use zest
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the flavourful outer peel of citrus fruit, or a lively enthusiasm for doing something.
Common pairings
lemon zest
zest for life
add zest to
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Word forms
- Plural
- zests
- Third person singular
- zests
- Past tense
- zested
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Add the _____ of one lemon to the batter.
Etymology
From French zeste, originally referring to the peel used to flavour dishes and drinks.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for zest
See all rhymes for 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.
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