taste

¹taste

verb \ˈtāst\

tast·edtast·ing

Definition of TASTE

transitive verb

1

: to become acquainted with by experience <has tasted the frustration of defeat>

2

: to ascertain the flavor of by taking a little into the mouth

3

: to eat or drink especially in small quantities

4

: to perceive or recognize as if by the sense of taste

5

archaic : appreciate, enjoy

intransitive verb

1

: to eat or drink a little

2

: to test the flavor of something by taking a small part into the mouth

3

: to have perception, experience, or enjoyment : partake —often used with of

4

: to have a specific flavor <the apple tastes sour>

Examples of TASTE

1. The pie tasted too sweet.
2. The wine tastes like vinegar.
3. She said there was garlic in the sauce, but I couldn't really taste it.
4. Have you ever tasted anything so delicious?
5. I tasted the tea and put more sugar in it.
6. She offered to taste the wine.
7. He tasted the tea to see if it was sweet enough.
8. This is the first food I've tasted since yesterday.
9. She talked about the day when she first tasted the joy of flying.
10. He has tasted the frustration of defeat.

Origin of TASTE

Middle English, to touch, test, taste, from Anglo-French taster, from Vulgar Latin *taxitare, frequentative of Latin taxare to touch, feel — more at tax

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to TASTE

Synonyms

endure, feel, have, know, pass, see, suffer, sustain, experience, undergo, witness

Related Words

encounter, meet; accept, receive; assimilate, digest

Rhymes with TASTE

based, baste, chaste, haste, laced, paste, waist, waste

²taste

noun

Definition of TASTE

1

obsolete : test

2

a obsolete : the act of tasting

b : a small amount tasted

c : a small amount : bit; especially : a sample of experience <her first taste of success>

3

: the special sense that perceives and distinguishes the sweet, sour, bitter, or salty quality of a dissolved substance and is mediated by taste buds on the tongue

4

: the objective sweet, sour, bitter, or salty quality of a dissolved substance as perceived by the sense of taste

5

a : a sensation obtained from a substance in the mouth that is typically produced by the stimulation of the sense of taste combined with those of touch and smell : flavor

b : the distinctive quality of an experience <that gruesome scene left a bad taste in my mouth>

6

: individual preference : inclination

7

a : critical judgment, discernment, or appreciation

b : manner or aesthetic quality indicative of such discernment or appreciation

Examples of TASTE

1. The wine had a slightly bitter taste.
2. She likes the taste of apples and cinnamon.
3. I detected a strong taste of ginger in the sauce.
4. The illness affected her sense of taste.

First Known Use of TASTE

14th century

Related to TASTE

Synonyms

flavor, savor (also savour)

Antonyms

aversion, disfavor, disgust, dislike, distaste, hatred, loathing, mislike

Related Words

relish, smack, tang; savoriness, tastiness; aftertaste

Near Antonyms

tastelessness

taste

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

A. Taste centres on the tongue's surface. Taste buds on the tip of the tongue are most sensitive to …—© Merriam-Webster Inc.

Special sense for perceiving and distinguishing the sweet, sour, bitter, or salty quality of a dissolved substance, mediated by taste buds on the tongue. More than 9,000 taste buds on the tongue are responsible for the chemoreception of taste. Some taste buds are also found on the roof of the mouth and throat.

Variants of TASTE

taste or taste perception