tasted; tasting
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
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
plural tastes
1
a
: 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.]
3
4
: individual preference : inclination
5
a
: critical judgment, discernment, or appreciation
b
: manner or aesthetic quality indicative of such discernment or appreciation
6
obsolete
: test
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
Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2025
To do this, the revered panel of judges at its core don’t merely taste the liquids entered.
—Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 30 Apr. 2025
Case in point are the house’s artworks, many of which are by Italian artists and reflect an aristocratic taste for the Grand Tour, a tradition in which elite young men traveled through Europe between the 17th and 19th centuries.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taste
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Verb
After tasting all of the bread and butter pickles, testers were then tasked with choosing their overall favorite.
—Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2025
To do this, the revered panel of judges at its core don’t merely taste the liquids entered.
—Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
Soon many water connoisseurs grew curious enough about Hall’s love for the taste of Saratoga spring water that many decided to test it out for themselves.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 30 Apr. 2025
Case in point are the house’s artworks, many of which are by Italian artists and reflect an aristocratic taste for the Grand Tour, a tradition in which elite young men traveled through Europe between the 17th and 19th centuries.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taste
Cite this Entry
“Taste.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taste. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
taste
1 of 2 verb
tasted; tasting
1
: experience entry 2, undergo
taste the joy of flying
2
: to test the flavor of something by taking a little into the mouth
3
: to eat or drink especially in small quantities
4
: to recognize by or as if by the sense of taste
can taste the onion in it
5
: to have a specific flavor
this milk tastes sour
taste
2 of 2 noun1
a
: a small amount tasted
b
: a small sample of experience
her first taste of success
2
: the sense that recognizes and tells apart the sweet, sour, bitter, or salty quality of a dissolved substance and is controlled by taste buds on the tongue
3
a
: the quality of a dissolved substance that can be identified by the sense of taste
b
: a sensation obtained from a substance in the mouth that is usually produced by the sense of taste in combination with those of touch and smell : flavor
4
: a personal liking
had expensive tastes
5
a
: the ability to choose and enjoy what is good and beautiful
a person of taste
b
: aesthetic quality : style
in bad taste
Medical Definition
taste
1 of 2 verb
tasted; tasting
: to ascertain the flavor of by taking a little into the mouth
: to have a specific flavor
the milk tastes sour
taste
2 of 2 noun1
: 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
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