foretaste

1 of 2

noun

fore·​taste ˈfȯr-ˌtāst 

1

: a small anticipatory sample

2

: an advance indication or warning

foretaste

2 of 2

verb

fore·​taste fȯr-ˈtāst 

ˈfȯr-ˌtāst

foretasted; foretasting; foretastes

transitive verb

: to taste beforehand : anticipate

Choose the Right Synonym for foretaste

prospect, outlook, anticipation, foretaste mean an advance realization of something to come.

prospect implies expectation of a particular event, condition, or development of definite interest or concern.

the prospect of a quiet weekend

outlook suggests a forecasting of the future.

a favorable outlook for the economy

anticipation implies a prospect or outlook that involves advance suffering or enjoyment of what is foreseen.

the anticipation of her arrival

foretaste implies an actual though brief or partial experience of something forthcoming.

the frost was a foretaste of winter

Example Sentences

Noun

These layoffs are only a foretaste of what's to come.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This year's fire behavior may be just a foretaste of what's to come. —Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 4 Sep. 2017

The festival will also offer grants for initiatives highlighting or supporting women in genre, produce posters of 20 great women creators and give a foretaste of a 2023 exhibition on monsters and nightmares created by women. —Callum Mclennan, Variety, 4 Oct. 2022

The China results are a foretaste of what could be in store for rivals like Louis Vuitton owner LVMH, and Gucci’s parent Kering which both report at the end of July. —Kevin Rozario, Forbes, 16 July 2022

But Chicago was a city of immigrants who gave it a foretaste of European politics. —Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2022

On Tuesday, opposition leaders offered a tangy foretaste of those attacks. —New York Times, 19 Apr. 2022

But the Civil War experience proved to be a foretaste of modern monetary policy. —Roger Lowenstein, WSJ, 4 Mar. 2022

However, to have just a foretaste at Sublimotion is so exciting. —Nel-olivia Waga, Forbes, 11 Nov. 2021

These pressures could very well intensify, providing a possible foretaste of what could be on the near-term horizon, until Europe manages a credible and sustainable transition to renewable energy. —David A. Andelman, CNN, 16 Oct. 2021

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Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

foretaste

noun

fore·​taste

ˈfō(ə)r-ˌtāst,

ˈfȯ(ə)r-

: a sample or partial experience of something that will not be fully experienced until later

the cold day was a foretaste of winter