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

Example Sentences

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

Refill casks are always used in the blend, but this year there are less so the wood element on the palate is pulled back a bit. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2023

Independent operators can seize on the fresh catch of the day to offer the latest palate-pleasing dishes at the spur of the moment. —Robin Gagnon, Forbes, 6 Feb. 2023

Expect a fruit salad on the palate: mango and passion fruit join apricot and tart red currants. —Dave Mcintyre, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2023

Floral aromas of rose and crushed violet and fruit aromas of red plum and red currant lead you to juicy flavors of ripe fruits on the palate. —Mike Desimone And Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2023

With wine barrels the result is something gentler—on the eyes and on the palate. —Brad Japhe, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2023

Beyond its obvious beauty, the chameleon flavors change colors on the palate — a smooth, almost vanilla sweetness veers to earthy and then vinegary sharp and around again. —Bill Addisonrestaurant Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2022

These dry white wines are crowd-pleasing and can be slightly lighter on the palate than the bold and dry white wines listed above. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Aug. 2022

The distillery’s tasting notes for the new Heritage Collection release include corn and oak spice on the nose, oak and walnut on the palate, and a finish of wood spice and corn sweetness. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 3 Feb. 2023

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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
• soft palate
• cleft palate
• hard palate

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

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