taste

verb

\ˈtāst

tasted; tasting

Definition of taste

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to ascertain the flavor of by taking a little into the mouth

2 : to eat or drink especially in small quantities

3 : to perceive or recognize as if by the sense of taste

4 : to become acquainted with by experience has tasted the frustration of defeat

5 archaic : appreciate, enjoy

intransitive verb

1 : to have a specific flavor the apple tastes sour

2 : to eat or drink a little

3 : to test the flavor of something by taking a small part into the mouth

4 : to have perception, experience, or enjoyment : partake —often used with of

taste

noun

Definition of taste (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the objective sweet, sour, bitter, or salty quality of a dissolved substance as perceived by the sense of taste

2a : 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

b : the distinctive quality of an experience that gruesome scene left a bad taste in my mouth

3 : the special sense that perceives and distinguishes the sweet, sour, bitter, or salty quality of a dissolved substance and is mediated by taste buds on the tongue

4a : a small amount tasted

b : a small amount : bit especially : a sample of experience her first taste of success

c obsolete : the act of tasting

5 : individual preference : inclination

6a : critical judgment, discernment, or appreciation

b : manner or aesthetic quality indicative of such discernment or appreciation

7 obsolete : test

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about taste

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Examples of taste in a Sentence

Verb

The pie tasted too sweet. The wine tastes like vinegar. She said there was garlic in the sauce, but I couldn't really taste it. Have you ever tasted anything so delicious? I tasted the tea and put more sugar in it. She offered to taste the wine. He tasted the tea to see if it was sweet enough. This is the first food I've tasted since yesterday. She talked about the day when she first tasted the joy of flying. He has tasted the frustration of defeat.

Noun

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: Verb

Some Chinese pet owners don’t trust local pet food and will taste it themselves before serving it. — Ailin Tang, The Seattle Times, "The trade war’s latest casualties: China’s coddled cats and dogs," 23 Oct. 2018 Top with a splash of club soda to taste and a basil leaf for garnish. — Maya Wilson, Anchorage Daily News, "Rhubarb meets gin in a rose-colored, refreshing summer cocktail," 5 July 2018 Scatter the onions over the top to taste and serve. — Sarah Fritsche, SFChronicle.com, "Recipe: Tawla’s Fattoush," 3 July 2018 Eventually, Bourdain ended up at a stall that sold herbs and spices, and started tasting his way through them all. — Lisa Abend, Time, "‘We Were All in Awe of Him.’ World-Renowned Chefs Told Us Their Favorite Memories of Anthony Bourdain," 8 June 2018 The late Booker Noe, who served as master distiller at his grandfather's bourbon distillery, Jim Beam, and founded his own brand, Booker's, had a signature method of tasting bourbon that is still relevant today. — Sam Dangremond, Town & Country, "How to Drink Whiskey: A Complete Guide," 1 Oct. 2018 After reading the tips below, don't miss the basic step-by-step video above for the easiest way to make mashed potatoes that taste great every. — Catherine Lo, Good Housekeeping, "The 7 Biggest Mistakes You Make Cooking Mashed Potatoes," 23 Aug. 2018 An Israeli company has literally turned water into wine with a new beverage called O.Vine, a product that looks and tastes like wine—but doesn’t contain any alcohol. — Emily Price, Fortune, "This Non-Alcoholic Water Tastes Like Wine," 9 July 2018 My deluxe paella — the one packed with a Noah’s ark of surf and turf — tasted and smelled like mussels gone bad, and the $46 pricetag only intensified the sting. — Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, "Review: New Dominion restaurant Acú Bistro Bar aims high but misses a few," 7 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Thanks to the one-two (and three- and four-) punch of A Star Is Born, Bohemian Rhapsody, Vox Lux, and Rocketman this fall is all about wearing your musical tastes on your literal sleeve. — Anna Moeslein, Glamour, "Finally, Band Tees Are Cool Again," 29 Oct. 2018 Like his makeup, Langdon’s taste in clothing is having a cultural moment. — Nadra Nittle, Vox, "American Horror Story fans are dressing like the show’s seductive Antichrist," 24 Oct. 2018 If taste in Halloween costumes is any indication, Blum and Schuker seem well matched. — Mickey Rapkin, Town & Country, "The Horror of Jason Blum," 17 Oct. 2018 Not only will the taste be amazing, Eugenie's cake is sure to look incredible, too. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "6 Things to Know About Sophie Cabot, the Baker Making Princess Eugenie's Wedding Cake," 7 Oct. 2018 Remember: your tastes may change over time but this will last forever. — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "21 Things You Should Know Before Getting Your First Tattoo," 2 Aug. 2018 The two common varieties are Kesar and Alphonso, each with its own taste and aroma. — Nik Sharma, SFChronicle.com, "A Brown Kitchen: Mango layer cake for a fresh summer treat," 11 July 2018 After a standout career as a Terrapin, the righthander posted a 2.87 ERA with the Low Class A Lowell Spinners in his first taste of pro ball. — Shawn Mcfarland, courant.com, "Red Sox Prospect Mike Shawaryn Takes A Mental Approach To The Game," 11 July 2018 The taste of salt was on every tongue — from sweat, from tears, from Gatorade chugged to ward off dehydration. — Stephanie Farr, Philly.com, "Thousands in Philadelphia protest ICE and Trump," 30 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'taste.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near taste

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Last Updated

28 Nov 2018

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Time Traveler for taste

The first known use of taste was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for taste

taste

verb

English Language Learners Definition of taste

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to have a particular taste

: to sense the flavor of (something that you are eating or drinking)

: to put a small amount of (food or drink) in your mouth in order to find out what its flavor is

taste

noun

English Language Learners Definition of taste (Entry 2 of 2)

: the sweet, sour, bitter, or salty quality of a thing that you can sense when it is in your mouth : the flavor that you can taste when you eat or drink something

: the ability to notice or recognize flavors when you eat or drink : the ability to taste things

: a small amount of food or drink that you have in order to see how it tastes

See the full definition for taste in the English Language Learners Dictionary

taste

verb

\ˈtāst

tasted; tasting

Kids Definition of taste

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to find out the flavor of something by taking a little into the mouth He has never tasted mango.

2 : to have a certain flavor The milk tastes sour.

3 : to recognize by the sense of taste I can taste salt in the soup.

4 : to eat or drink usually in small amounts May I taste your dessert?

5 : experience entry 2 She has the opportunity to taste big city life.

taste

noun

Kids Definition of taste (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the sense by which sweet, sour, bitter, or salty flavors are detected through sense organs ( taste buds ) in the tongue

2 : the quality of something recognized by the sense of taste or by this together with smell and touch : flavor The fruit had a bitter taste.

3 : a small amount tasted Do you want a taste of the ice cream?

4 : a personal liking My sister has very expensive tastes.

5 : the ability to choose and enjoy what is good or beautiful He has good taste in clothes.

6 : a sample of what something is like … give them a taste of what you can do and you're in, performing for the crowd …— Karen Hesse, Out of the Dust

taste

verb

\ˈtāst

tasted; tasting

Medical Definition of taste

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

: to ascertain the flavor of by taking a little into the mouth

intransitive verb

: to have a specific flavor the milk tastes sour

taste

noun

Medical Definition of taste (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the one of the special senses that is concerned with distinguishing the sweet, sour, bitter, or salty quality of a dissolved substance and is mediated by taste buds on the tongue

2 : the objective sweet, sour, bitter, or salty 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