taste

1 of 2

verb

ˈtāst 

tasted; tasting

transitive verb

1

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

2

: to eat or drink especially in small quantities

3

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

4

: to become acquainted with by experience

has tasted the frustration of defeat

5

archaic : appreciate, enjoy

intransitive verb

1

: to have a specific flavor

the apple tastes sour

2

: to eat or drink a little

3

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

4

: to have perception, experience, or enjoyment : partake

—often used with of

taste

2 of 2

noun

plural tastes

1

a

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

b

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

c

: 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

2

: the distinctive quality of an experience

The way we were treated left a bad taste in my mouth [=made me feel disgusted, bitter, etc.]

3

a

: a small amount tasted

b

: a small amount : bit

especially : a sample of experience

her first taste of success

c

obsolete : the act of tasting

4

: individual preference : inclination

5

a

: critical judgment, discernment, or appreciation

b

: manner or aesthetic quality indicative of such discernment or appreciation

6

obsolete : test

Synonyms

Verb

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

Noun

• flavor
• savor
• savour

Examples of taste in a Sentence

Verb

The pie tasted too sweet.

The wine tastes like vinegar.

She said there was garlic in the sauce, but I couldn't really taste it.

Have you ever tasted anything so delicious?

I tasted the tea and put more sugar in it.

She offered to taste the wine.

He tasted the tea to see if it was sweet enough.

This is the first food I've tasted since yesterday.

She talked about the day when she first tasted the joy of flying.

He has tasted the frustration of defeat.

Noun

The wine had a slightly bitter taste.

She likes the taste of apples and cinnamon.

I detected a strong taste of ginger in the sauce.

The illness affected her sense of taste.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

While many other tasting rooms will offer some of their most popular wines to offer, Vintner’s is a great boutique place to zero in one of your favorite varieties. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 24 Apr. 2024

But California gets several sensational shout-outs, starting with the coastal town of SLO — San Luis Obispo — at No. 3, thanks to its balmy temperatures, small town vibe and proximity to surfer-friendly beaches, rolling vineyards and winery tasting rooms. —Jackie Burrell, The Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2024

The taco and ranch seasoning were overkill – the meal tasted like a bunch of sodium in a bowl. —Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024

Food nostalgia is like a time machine that whisks you away to moments filled with warmth and familiarity, all triggered by the simple act of tasting a beloved dish. —Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024

What is your advice for someone tasting their way through the curry stalls? —Jessica Carbone, Saveur, 18 Apr. 2024

Soju tastes best when it’s been refrigerated which mellows out that alcohol burn. —Irene Yoo, Bon Appétit, 16 Apr. 2024

Try blending the powder with your milk of choice, a frozen banana, and nut butter for a delicious, balanced snack that almost tastes like dessert. —Alexandra Paetow Ms Rdn, Parents, 15 Apr. 2024

However, the plants grown in this system grew well and tasted delicious. —Rachel Ahrnsen, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2024

Noun

Influencers also seem to be dictating those tastes to some degree. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2024

Lemieux prefers the cold brew method because of its ease and taste. —Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2024

The right glass can change how a particular wine smells and tastes. —Eric Asimov, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2024

Onion, carrots, broccoli and celery add harmonious tastes and textures, while the shiitake mushrooms provide an earthy, balancing flavor. —Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 20 Apr. 2024

The result is a testament to that elusive fifth taste: umami, which is really more of a sensation than a taste. —Jeff Burkhart, The Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2024

Other curry powders have different tastes and spice blends. —Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 13 Apr. 2024

Her inquisitiveness led her to delve deep into the recipes and flavors that make this part of France so distinct, including a taste for blending savory and sweet flavors as in the sweet Swiss chard pie, or tourte de blettes sucrée, seen in many traditional Niçoise bakeries. —Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024

However, as human taste for these cephalopods grows, it’s become a problem to meet demand. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, to touch, test, taste, from Anglo-French taster, from Vulgar Latin *taxitare, frequentative of Latin taxare to touch, feel — more at tax entry 2

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4c

Phrases Containing taste

• acquired taste
• a matter of taste
• a taste/dose of someone's own medicine
• for someone's taste
• in good taste
• in (very) bad/poor taste
• leave a bad taste in someone's mouth
• left a bad taste in my mouth
• matter of taste
• popular taste
• season to taste
• taste blood
• taste bud
• taste of things to come
• there's no accounting for taste
• to someone's taste
• to taste

Kids Definition

taste

1 of 2 verb

ˈtāst 

tasted; tasting

1

: experience entry 2, undergo

taste the joy of flying

2

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

3

: to eat or drink especially in small quantities

4

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

can taste the onion in it

5

: to have a specific flavor

this milk tastes sour

taste

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: a small amount tasted

b

: a small sample of experience

her first taste of success

2

: the sense that recognizes and tells apart the sweet, sour, bitter, or salty quality of a dissolved substance and is controlled by taste buds on the tongue

3

a

: the quality of a dissolved substance that can be identified by the sense of taste

b

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

4

: a personal liking

had expensive tastes

5

a

: the ability to choose and enjoy what is good and beautiful

a person of taste

b

: aesthetic quality : style

in bad taste

Medical Definition

taste

1 of 2 verb

ˈtāst 

tasted; tasting

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to have a specific flavor

the milk tastes sour

taste

2 of 2 noun

1

: the one of the special senses that is concerned with distinguishing the sweet, sour, bitter, salty, or umami quality of a dissolved substance and is mediated by taste buds on the tongue

2

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

3

: 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