taste

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verb \ˈtāst\

Definition of taste

tasted

;

tasting

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

See taste defined for English-language learners

See taste defined for kids

Examples of taste in a Sentence

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.

Origin and Etymology of taste

Middle English, to touch, test, taste, from Anglo-French taster, from Vulgar Latin *taxitare, frequentative of Latin taxare to touch, feel — more at ²tax

NEW!

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

taste

noun

Definition of taste

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 : flavorb : 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 tastedb : a small amount : bit; especially : a sample of experience her first taste of successc obsolete : the act of tasting
5 : individual preference : inclination
6a : critical judgment, discernment, or appreciationb : manner or aesthetic quality indicative of such discernment or appreciation
7 obsolete : test

See taste defined for English-language learners

Examples of taste in a Sentence

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.

First Known Use of taste

14th century

TASTE Defined for English Language Learners

taste

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verb

Definition of taste for English Language Learners

: 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

Definition of taste for English Language Learners

: 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

TASTE Defined for Kids

taste

play

verb \ˈtāst\

Definition of taste for Students

tasted

;

tasting

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

taster

noun

taste

play

noun

Definition of taste for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

taste

play

verb \ˈtāst\

Medical Definition of taste

tasted

;

tasting

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

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