Zest

Meaning

Zest means great enthusiasm, energy, and enjoyment of life or an activity. It can also mean the outer colored part of the peel of a citrus fruit, used to add flavor to food.

Pronunciation

/zest/

Word Forms

• Noun: zest
• Adjective: zesty
• Adverb: zestily

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

• zest for life — a strong enthusiasm and enjoyment of living.
• zest for living — energetic enjoyment of life.
• great zest — a very strong feeling of enthusiasm or energy.
• with zest — with enthusiasm, energy, or enjoyment.
• renewed zest — a new or restored sense of enthusiasm.
• add zest to something — to make something more exciting, interesting, or enjoyable.

Example Sentences

• She approached every new challenge with remarkable zest.
• Even after many years in the profession, he still works with the same zest.
• Her zest for life made her an inspiring person to be around.
• The trip gave him a renewed zest for adventure.
• A little lemon zest can add a fresh flavor to the dish.

Literary Example

Example:

“He had a zest for life which nothing could damp.”

— Henry James, The Ambassadors

Here, zest means strong enthusiasm and enjoyment of life. The expression describes an energetic appetite for living that cannot easily be diminished.

Story Workshop

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