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

They can be topped in a variety of ways, and are often enriched with butter or cream for a luxurious mouthfeel and flavor. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026

Tasting whisky involves a combination of sensations, including the nose, palate, mouthfeel, and finish. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2026

Thanks to cask beer manager Mason Swierenga, Wren’s pours are known for soft carbonation, live yeast, plush mouthfeel, and a slow pour that builds its own head—under the cask’s spell, hops and malts show different faces. —Chris Malloy, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026

Full-fat yogurt is also thicker and richer, while yogurt with 1% or 2% fat may be thinner, with a sour taste and a chalky mouthfeel due to the lack of fat. —Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 13 Mar. 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
• foveal

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