taste

verb

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\ 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

plural tastes

Definition of taste (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : 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

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

c : 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

2 : the distinctive quality of an experience The way we were treated left a bad taste in my mouth [=made me feel disgusted, bitter, etc.]

3a : 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 More Example Sentences Learn More about taste

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Synonyms for taste

Synonyms: Verb

Synonyms: Noun

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 Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat have recently launched healthier versions of their burgers, and there’s a proliferation of other companies focusing on clean ingredients who are confident their products taste great, too. — Brian Kateman, Forbes, "Healthier Plant-Based Meat Is On The Rise," 10 May 2021 Her victory brought Lancaster within 12 points of Fort Bend Marshall –– close enough that the Tigers could taste the team championship. — Dallas News, "Lancaster girls continue winning legacy, tie for Class 5A state track and field team title," 8 May 2021 Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat (BYND), which sell alternatives to meat designed to look, taste and cook like the real thing, have expanded massively in grocery stores and struck major deals with big food companies and restaurant chains. — Danielle Wiener-bronner, CNN, "One of the world's top restaurants is ditching meat. Here's what could go wrong," 6 May 2021 Ripe mulberries are a dark purple and taste simultaneously tart and sweet, though don't have as much flavor as some other berries. — Abigail Rosenthal, Chron, "Here's what to do with all those mulberries you have in your backyard," 6 May 2021 Licensed facilities of alcohol products that the public can taste, sample or purchase. — Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, "$28 billion grant program for restaurants and bars begins Monday: Here's how to apply," 3 May 2021 Stop the machine and, using a leaf of romaine, taste the dressing, adding salt, pepper and more lemon juice as needed, pulsing for another second or two to combine. — Washington Post, "A garlicky, versatile vinaigrette is the key to this grilled salmon Caesar salad," 29 Apr. 2021 The same month, Singapore became the first country to approve the commercial sale of cultured meat—animal cells grown in a laboratory and designed to taste like the genuine article. — Nathaniel Rich, WSJ, "Why the Planet Needs Cute Monsters," 30 Apr. 2021 The only exception to that flavor ban was cigarettes that taste like menthol. — Colleen Murphy, Health.com, "Why The FDA Is Taking Steps to Ban Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars," 29 Apr. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun More than a third of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 report a temporary loss of taste or smell, according to recent research. — Ashley Zlatopolsky, SELF, "Smell Training: How This Therapy Could Help People Having Trouble Smelling After COVID-19," 12 May 2021 Gonzalo Alvarez, a player in Uruguay’s premier basketball league, started feeling the symptoms a few days after a game: fatigue, headaches, lower back pain, loss of taste and smell. — Washington Post, "Uruguay, once a coronavirus model, struggles against a deadly wave," 12 May 2021 During his illness, Spieth did not lose his sense of taste or smell and maintained his appetite. — Randy Jennings, Dallas News, "After bout with COVID-19 in April, Jordan Spieth will be at full strength for AT&T Byron Nelson," 12 May 2021 The 29-year-old now has a prosthetic eye in his right socket and lost parts of his sense of taste and smell. — Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY, "Giants minor leaguer Drew Robinson hits first homer since losing an eye in comeback attempt," 12 May 2021 Patients may also have extended periods of insomnia and loss of taste and smell. — Charli Penn, Essence, "Are You a COVID ‘Long-Hauler’? What To Know," 11 May 2021 Many people who contract the virus lose their senses of taste and smell. — Jiayang Fan, The New Yorker, "The Gatekeepers Who Get to Decide What Food Is “Disgusting”," 10 May 2021 Amin said Pediatric Associates, with more than 300 pediatricians statewide, has seen children who recovered from COVID-19 but have lingering effects such as hair loss, fatigue, brain fog, loss of taste or smell. — Cindy Krischer Goodman, sun-sentinel.com, "COVID vaccines for pre-teens? Pediatricians getting ready," 10 May 2021 The symptoms include fever or chills, cough, loss of sense of taste or smell, and headaches. — Robbie Whelan, WSJ, "Kids and the Covid-19 Vaccine: Is it Safe and When Can They Get It?," 10 May 2021

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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Last Updated

16 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Taste.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taste. Accessed 17 May. 2021.

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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