Savor or Savour: UK vs US Spelling Explained

Savor or savour are both correct spellings of the same word. Savor is the preferred spelling in American English, while savour is the standard spelling in British English and most Commonwealth countries.

Whether you’re talking about enjoying delicious food, appreciating a pleasant moment, or describing a rich aroma or flavor, both words have the same meaning. The only difference is regional spelling.

In this guide, you’ll learn when to use each spelling, their origin, pronunciation, examples, and tips to choose the right one for your audience.

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

Both savor and savour are correct.

✅ Savor – American English
✅ Savour – British English

They both mean to enjoy something fully, especially the taste, flavor, aroma, or a special experience.

Examples

✅ We should savor every bite of this delicious meal. (US)
✅ We should savour every bite of this delicious meal. (UK)
✅ She stopped to savor the beautiful sunset.
✅ He took time to savour the fresh cup of tea.

Choose the spelling that matches your readers and use it consistently throughout your writing.

The Origin of Savor or Savour

The word comes from the Latin word sapor, meaning taste or flavor. It later entered Old French and Anglo-French as savour, before becoming part of the English language.

Originally, English used the spelling savour. During the development of American English, Noah Webster simplified many spellings by removing the letter “u” from words ending in -our.

As a result:

Savour remained the standard spelling in British English.
Savor became the preferred spelling in American English.

Today, both spellings are accepted by major dictionaries.

Examples include:

Merriam-Webster – Savor
Dictionary.com – Savor
Oxford English Dictionary (OED) – Savour
Cambridge Dictionary – Savour
Collins Dictionary – Savour

The spelling difference is similar to:

Colour → Color
Flavour → Flavor
Honour → Honor
Favourite → Favorite

British English vs American English Spelling

The only difference between savor and savour is the regional spelling.

Feature	Savor	Savour
Preferred in	United States	United Kingdom
English Style	American English	British English
Meaning	Same	Same
Correct Spelling	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Academic Writing	US style	UK style
Business Communication	US companies	UK & Commonwealth companies

Examples

American English

I like to savor every sip of coffee.
She savored the rich flavor of the chocolate cake.
They wanted to savor the unforgettable experience.

British English

I like to savour every sip of tea.
She savoured the rich flavour of the chocolate cake.
They wanted to savour the unforgettable experience.

Whether you’re writing about cuisine, coffee, tea, wine tasting, or a memorable event, both spellings are correct. Simply match the spelling to your audience.

Pronunciation of Savor or Savour

Although the spellings are different, the pronunciation is nearly identical.

American English

Savor

/ˈseɪvər/

Sounds like:

SAY-ver

British English

Savour

/ˈseɪvə/

Sounds like:

SAY-vuh

The slight difference is in the ending sound, but most people pronounce the word almost the same in everyday conversation.

Because the pronunciation is so similar, listeners usually cannot tell whether you mean savor or savour until they see the word written.

The word can be used in different contexts, including:

Enjoying the flavor of food.
Appreciating a pleasant memory.
Describing the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
Talking about culinary arts, cooking, or fine dining.
Enjoying a special life experience.

Understanding your audience will help you choose the correct spelling while keeping your writing natural and professional.

Why People Confuse Savor or Savour

Many writers are unsure whether to use savor or savour because both spellings are correct and have the same meaning. The only difference is the variety of English being used.

Here are the main reasons people get confused:

Both words are pronounced almost the same.
They have identical meanings.
Books and websites use different spellings depending on the country.
Search engines display both versions.
Students and English learners often study materials from both the US and the UK.
International companies may publish content in both American and British English.

The good news is that neither spelling is wrong. You simply need to choose the one that matches your audience.

Which Spelling Should You Use?

The correct spelling depends on where your readers are.

Audience	Recommended Spelling
United States	Savor
United Kingdom	Savour
Canada	Usually Savour
Australia	Savour
New Zealand	Savour
International audience	Follow your chosen style guide

If you’re writing for an American audience, use savor.

If you’re writing for readers in the UK or most Commonwealth countries, use savour.

For academic writing, follow your university’s preferred style guide.

For business communication, use the spelling that matches your company, client, or publication.

Professional writers, editors, and proofreading teams recommend staying consistent. Avoid switching between savor and savour within the same document unless you’re comparing the two spellings.

Common Mistakes with Savor or Savour

Although both spellings are correct, writers sometimes make consistency errors.

Incorrect Usage	Correct Usage	Why
We should savour this meal. *(US article)*	We should savor this meal.	Use American spelling in US English.
We should savor this meal. *(UK article)*	We should savour this meal.	Use British spelling in UK English.
Mixing both spellings in one document	Choose one spelling and stay consistent.	Consistency improves readability.
Thinking one spelling is more correct	Both are correct.	The difference is regional.

Avoid These Mistakes

❌ Mixing savor and savour in the same article.
❌ Assuming savour is old-fashioned.
❌ Believing savor is incorrect outside the US.
❌ Ignoring your audience’s preferred spelling.

A quick round of editing and proofreading will help you catch these issues before publishing.

Savor or Savour in Everyday Examples

The words savor and savour are common in everyday communication, especially when talking about food, drinks, and memorable experiences.

Email

American English

Please take time to savor every moment of your vacation.

British English

Please take time to savour every moment of your holiday.

News

The chef encouraged guests to savor every course of the dinner. (US)
Visitors were invited to savour the local cuisine at the food festival. (UK)

Social Media

Time to savor this amazing cup of coffee!
Don’t forget to savour the little moments in life.

Formal Writing

Guests were encouraged to savor the rich aroma and flavor of the freshly prepared dishes.
Visitors had the opportunity to savour traditional cuisine and locally produced tea.

Everyday Conversation

I like to savor every bite of homemade pizza.
She stopped to savour the beautiful view.
We savored the fresh aroma of coffee before breakfast.
They savoured every moment of their family trip.

Whether you’re writing about cooking, culinary arts, wine tasting, coffee, tea, or simply enjoying a special experience, both spellings express the same idea. Just choose the version that fits your audience.

Easy Trick to Remember Savor or Savour

A simple memory trick can help you remember which spelling to use.

SavOR = AmERican English
- Both savOR and AmERican end with “er/or”, reminding you that savor is the US spelling.
SavOUR = BritiSH English
- Many British words keep the “our” ending, such as colour, flavour, honour, and neighbour. Savour follows the same pattern.

Quick Memory Rule

🇺🇸 US = Savor
🇬🇧 UK = Savour

When writing, think about your audience first. The meaning stays the same, but the spelling changes with the variety of English.

Savor or Savour – Google Trends & Usage Data

Search data shows that savor is the dominant spelling in the United States, while savour is more common in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Both spellings are frequently searched because readers often compare American English and British English spellings.

Popularity by Country

Country	Preferred Spelling
United States	Savor
United Kingdom	Savour
Canada	Savour
Australia	Savour
New Zealand	Savour

Common Contexts

Context	Preferred Usage
Cooking & recipes	Both
Food writing	Both
Coffee and tea reviews	Both
Wine tasting	Both
Travel blogs	Both
Academic writing	Style-guide dependent
Business communication	Audience-dependent

Whether you’re describing a delicious meal, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, a fine dining experience, or a memorable moment, both spellings are correct. The choice depends on your audience and writing style.

Savor vs Savour Comparison Table

Feature	Savor	Savour
Correct spelling	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Meaning	Same	Same
Pronunciation	Nearly identical	Nearly identical
English variety	American English	British English
Used in the US	✅ Yes	Rare
Used in the UK	Rare	✅ Yes
Used in Canada & Australia	Less common	✅ Common
Suitable for formal writing	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Suitable for informal writing	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

FAQs

Is it savor or savour?

Both are correct. Savor is the American English spelling, while savour is the British English spelling.

Do savor and savour have different meanings?

No. They have exactly the same meaning. The only difference is the regional spelling.

Which spelling should I use in academic writing?

Use the spelling required by your institution or publisher. American universities usually prefer savor, while British institutions use savour.

Is savour correct in the United States?

It is correct but uncommon. Most American publications and dictionaries use savor.

Why are there two spellings?

The word originally entered English as savour. During American spelling reform, Noah Webster simplified many -our words to -or, creating savor.

Which dictionaries use savor?

Merriam-Webster and Dictionary.com use savor as the standard American spelling.

Which dictionaries use savour?

The Oxford English Dictionary, Cambridge Dictionary, and Collins Dictionary list savour as the standard British spelling.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between savor or savour is easy once you know who you’re writing for. Both spellings are correct and share the same meaning: to fully enjoy the taste, flavor, aroma, or a special experience.

Savor is the preferred spelling in American English, while savour is standard in British English and most Commonwealth countries.

Whether you’re writing about food, coffee, tea, wine tasting, or memorable moments, choose the spelling that matches your audience and use it consistently. Following the appropriate style guide and proofreading your work will help you produce clear, accurate, and professional writing.