palate

noun

pal·​ate ˈpa-lət 

1

: the roof of the mouth separating the mouth from the nasal cavity see hard palate, soft palate

2

a

: a usually intellectual taste or liking

too ornate for my palate

… I heard a little too much preaching … and lost my palate for it.

—George Eliot

b

: the sense of taste

serves Korean food adapted for the American palate

Examples of palate in a Sentence

The restaurant serves Korean food adapted for the American palate.

She's been working hard on a menu that will please the palates of all her guests.

Recent Examples on the Web

The classic seasonings are paprika, cumin and chili powder, so the sauce isn’t exceptionally fiery, just warm on the palate. —Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 20 Feb. 2026

Lower your expectations, try to please your guests and remember that children’s palates develop. —Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026

Tongues tested, palates finally pleased, the adventurers decided that this was as good a place to stop as any. —Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2026

At first, this may seem like your ordinary cheese puff, but as the flavors build on your palate, there’s a hint of pepper that emerges, giving it that iconic cacio e pepe flavor. —Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin palatum

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing palate

• cleanse the palate
• cleft palate
• hard palate
• soft palate

Rhymes for palate

• alate
• ballot
• fallot
• mallet
• palette
• pallet
• shallot

Kids Definition

palate

noun

pal·​ate ˈpal-ət 

1

: the roof of the mouth that separates the mouth from the nasal cavity and is made up of a bony front part and a soft flexible back part

2

: the sense of taste

Medical Definition

palate

noun

pal·​ate ˈpal-ət 

: the roof of the mouth separating the mouth from the nasal cavity see hard palate, soft palate