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   zest

   /zɛst/

   noun

   • 1. great enthusiasm and energy: "they campaigned with zest and intelligence" Similar enthusiasmgustorelishzestfulnessappetiteeagernesskeennessavidityzealfervourardourpassionloveenjoymentjoydelightexcitementvervevigourlivelinesssparklefizzeffervescencefireanimationvitalitydynamismenergybuoyancybriobouncepepspiritspiritednessexuberancehigh spiritshigh-spiritednessinformal:zingzipoomphvimpizzazzget-up-and-goOpposite apathyindifferencedistaste
   • ▪ a quality of excitement and piquancy: "I used to try to beat past records to add zest to my monotonous job" Similar piquancytangsharpnesstartnessflavourflavouringsavourtastetastinesspungencyspicespicinessrelishbiteinterestan edgeeffectpotencyinformal:kickpunchzingoomphOpposite blandness
   • 2. the outer coloured part of the peel of citrus fruit, used as flavouring: "add 3 tablespoons of lemon zest" Similar rindpeelskincoveringouter layertechnical:epicarppericarpexocarp

   verb

   • 1. scrape off the outer coloured part of the peel of (a piece of citrus fruit) for use as flavouring: "zest the orange and lemon, taking care to discard all of the white pith"

   Word Origin late 17th century (in sense zest (sense 2 of the noun)): from French zeste ‘orange or lemon peel’, from obsolete zec ‘membrane around walnut kernel’, ‘object of no importance’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. zesty adjective

   Scrabble Points: 13

   • Z

     10

   • E

     1

   • S

     1

   • T

     1

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