mouthfeel

noun

mouth·​feel ˈmau̇th-ˌfēl 

: the sensation created by food or drink in the mouth

Did you know?

Do you sometimes find yourself trying to describe a concept or phenomenon for which you don't have a word? In such cases, it is not unusual for people to coin neologisms (new words or expressions) to describe such concepts or phenomena - the pink glow on the underside of gray clouds right before sunset, for example, or the sensation created in the mouth by a particular item of food or drink. Indeed, this latter concept has already been given a name, "mouthfeel," a simple combination of "mouth" and "feel" that can be used to describe the creamy warmth of a mushroom soup or the dry, velvety sensation of a pinot noir. This coinage is relatively new; its earliest known use dates back only to 1951.

Examples of mouthfeel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Until bottling in June, the wine stays in stainless steel tanks, partly on its lees (the dead yeast) with some lees stirring (batonnage) to get a good mouthfeel. — Forbes.com, 20 June 2026

Editors raved about the texture and mouthfeel of this cottage cheese. — Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 13 June 2026

Tasting rum involves a combination of sensations, including the nose, palate, mouthfeel and finish. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 May 2026

The result is a denser, higher-protein product with a richer mouthfeel than traditional yogurt, even though the underlying fermentation process is identical. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 23 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mouthfeel

• abele
• alkyl
• anneal
• appeal
• cartwheel
• conceal
• congeal
• coquille
• corneal
• cornmeal
• flywheel
• genteel

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