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, salty, or umami 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

Other Words from taste Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about taste

Keep scrolling for more

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

The late Jim Thebado, a Hydrox fan, helped taste-test the new cookies. — Annie Gasparro, WSJ, "Oreo Competitor Makes Federal Case Out of ‘Cutthroat’ Cookie Rivalry," 17 Jan. 2019 In the meantime, Seattle Times critics Bethany Jean Clement and Tan Vinh set out to taste-test the Final Four. — Bethany Jean Clement, The Seattle Times, "Seattle’s top 4 burger spots — ranked by Seattle Times critics," 10 July 2018 The colors likely warn predators that the insect doesn't taste very good. — National Geographic, "Meet the Bug That Armors Itself With Shells," 23 June 2018 There was no immediate explanation offered regarding what a unicorn tastes like. — Zlati Meyer, USA TODAY, "Cherry Cola Oreos? Crazy, yes, but not as much as Avocado Oreos," 30 Apr. 2018 This unassuming disk delivers a strong Windex hit of ammonia, despite the fact that hiding beneath its rind is what tastes like an irresistible bacon pudding. — Molly Fitzpatrick, Bon Appetit, "The Hunt for the Stinkiest Cheese, Or, How I Tested the Bonds of Friendship," 26 Apr. 2018 And sometimes the Sauvignon Blancs from these utterly disparate places taste remarkably the same. — Lettie Teague, WSJ, "The Wines We’ll Be Drinking in 2019," 19 Dec. 2018 And taste the earthy and powerful leaves of Uji green tea (sencha) and matcha (traditionally at a ceremony or non-traditionally) directly from the source here in Uji. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, "Chef Candice Kumai’s Matcha and Green Tea Guide to Japan," 12 Dec. 2018 Second Saturday Wine Nights — Champagne & Port SAT Learn to taste and pontificate on rare bottles French Champagne and Port from Portugal, 8 p.m. Saturday, The Knife Room at Nordo, 103 S. Main St., Seattle; $40 (206-579-6215 or CafeNordo.com). — Madeline Mckenzie, The Seattle Times, "Community calendar: Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition, Winter Solstice Night Market, Jingle Bell Run," 5 Dec. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The idea was that the shortages would be made up by AMD—but AMD CEO Lisa Su didn’t seem particularly interested in low-end products, either, now that AMD has the rich taste of profits in its mouth. — Mark Hachman, PCWorld, "Microsoft's Surface sales soar to nearly $2 billion, though chip shortages are hurting," 31 Jan. 2019 Adam posted a photo of a cat who clearly has expensive taste. — Megan Stein, Country Living, "Adam Levine's Latest Instagram Post Has Everyone Talking About His Fashion Choices," 28 Jan. 2019 Ginger water If lemon water is too acidic for your taste, consider ginger water. — Audrey Bruno, SELF, "9 Healthy Foods Pinterest Can't Wait to Make in 2019," 16 Jan. 2019 Try some of our favorite picks in your garden: Holland Hothouse (64 days from planting to maturity): A Dutch greenhouse type that can be grown outdoors; these bitter-free and burp-less cukes have a cool and sweet taste. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "Everything You Need to Know About Growing Crisp Cucumbers," 12 July 2018 Ok, some people find that song annoying, and Lawrence appear to have a taste for discordantly upbeat pop classics. — Rena Gross, Billboard, "'The Handmaid's Tale': Season 2, Episode 13 Recap: 19 Startling Moments in 'The Word'," 11 July 2018 To Twitter, neither Schnatter nor his pizzas have good taste. — Kate Talerico, The Courier-Journal, "Twitter is roasting Papa John's founder for using the N-word," 11 July 2018 Oscar's Winner's Circle 3800 W. Burnham St. facebook.com/oscarswinnerscircle Just as this location of the burger-bar Oscar's weaves Mexican flavors into its burger toppings, the new (just last weekend) patio has a taste of Mexico, too. — Carol Deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Dining patios proliferate around Milwaukee; a look at some new ones for 2018," 10 July 2018 Food has no taste if there’s no dog begging for it. — Francesca Serritella, Philly.com, "Francesca Serritella: One week without my puppy, and my mental health is hanging by a dog hair," 5 July 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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about taste

Dictionary Entries near taste

Statistics for taste

Last Updated

7 Feb 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for taste

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

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

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