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, salty, or umami 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 Phrases Containing taste Learn More About taste

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Semi-matte finish Doesn't taste good to some K Beauty brands have been creating lightweight lip tints for a long time, and this version by Etude House is the best of the best. — Tatjana Freund, ELLE, 3 Aug. 2022 Eggs from other fowl may not taste noticeably different from chicken eggs, but their size must be taken into consideration in cooking, especially for baking. — Lynne Sherwin, cleveland, 8 Apr. 2022 Pepsi-Cola distributors quibbled that the soda didn’t taste enough like Pepsi, but Mr. Novak brushed them aside. — Emily Bobrow, WSJ, 11 Mar. 2022 The beverage did not taste like space travel or sitting around a campfire. — Danielle Wiener-bronner, CNN, 17 Feb. 2022 Glaring among the three samples: the brisket didn’t taste very smoky at all. — Chris O'connell, Chron, 10 Feb. 2022 Those anchovies don’t taste quite as bad, after all. — Bryce Miller Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2022 Scent is critical because, despite being a foodstuff, the tuber doesn’t actually taste of very much. — Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes, 10 Nov. 2021 Guests can order flights to taste four different wines from around the state and learn more about varietal, terroir and the winemaker. — Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 21 June 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Adjust Tabasco, caper juice and add freshly ground pepper to taste. Let chill for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight. — Elizabeth Karmel, Forbes, 25 July 2022 The 2022 edition of the Indiana State Fair has something for pretty much every food taste. — The Indianapolis Star, 25 July 2022 Place rice in a bowl and add the dressing and salt and pepper to taste. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, 25 July 2022 Yet Vital Proteins, which also contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, dissolves seamlessly in everything from cold tap water to hot morning coffee, adding no discernible texture and almost no taste. — Maggie Lange, Bon Appétit, 22 July 2022 In cocktail applications, this can help extract flavors and impart a smoother taste. — Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 22 July 2022 By the turn of the 21st century, for many chefs, fusion had become a byword for cultural appropriation and bad taste. — Joshua David Stein, WSJ, 22 July 2022 Studies have repeatedly shown people’s taste perceptions change with age. — M. Carrie Allan, Washington Post, 22 July 2022 That taste ran through the early ’60s, a manic era and a hinge moment between the Cold War and Vietnam, Civil Rights and Black Power, repression and liberation; beatnik and hippie; Ab-Ex and Pop. — New York Times, 21 July 2022 See More

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

tastable

taste

tasteable

Statistics for taste

Last Updated

8 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Taste.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taste. Accessed 8 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for taste

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, salty, or umami quality of a dissolved substance and is mediated by taste buds on the tongue

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