taste
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
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 of taste
Examples of taste in a Sentence
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
Last season Hustus handled more than 16,000 lobsters all while chatting animatedly with visitors from around the world—and often introducing them to their first tastes of lobster.
—
Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
The Old State House’s Summer Music Series began last week and continues with Inner Groove, a classic rock cover band with diverse tastes and even a few original songs.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2026
Peaches are a classic summer treat, offering sweet and juicy bites from the first taste to the pit.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 6 June 2026
As a plant family, legumes come in a variety of tastes and textures.
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for taste
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
The Old State House’s Summer Music Series began last week and continues with Inner Groove, a classic rock cover band with diverse tastes and even a few original songs.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2026
Peaches are a classic summer treat, offering sweet and juicy bites from the first taste to the pit.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 6 June 2026
As a plant family, legumes come in a variety of tastes and textures.
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for taste
Cite this Entry
“Taste.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taste. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
taste
1 of 2 verb
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 noun1
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
tasted; tasting
: to ascertain the flavor of by taking a little into the mouth
: to have a specific flavor
the milk tastes sour
taste
2 of 2 noun1
: 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
