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
Emily Price, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
At the Grapevine tasting room, oenophiles guide you through what to look for in wine, from smell and taste to texture and mouthfeel.
—Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 18 Jan. 2026
Tasting Japanese whisky involves a combination of sensations, including the nose, palate, mouthfeel, and finish.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 16 Jan. 2026
Because of butterfat, American and European butters differ in flavor, mouthfeel, and performance.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mouthfeel
Cite this Entry
“Mouthfeel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mouthfeel. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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