taste

1 of 2

verb

ˈtāst 

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

taste

2 of 2

noun

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

a

: 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

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

Synonyms

Verb

• endure
• experience
• feel
• have
• know
• pass
• see
• suffer
• sustain
• undergo
• witness

Noun

• flavor
• savor
• savour

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

Verb

In the thin air, his face goes hot and his body cold; his heart pounds, and his favorite cigar tastes like cardboard. —George Packer, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024

Nearly black in color, the butter is crowded with chunks of roasted garlic and what tastes like sweet black garlic. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024

Noun

To say the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has become more international in recent years doesn’t quite paint a full enough picture of how tastes have changed. —Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2024

Out of thousands of recipes, these are just a few that taste like a million dollars. —Krissy Tiglias, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4c

Phrases Containing taste

• acquired taste
• a matter of taste
• a taste/dose of someone's own medicine
• for someone's taste
• in good taste
• in (very) bad/poor taste
• leave a bad taste in someone's mouth
• left a bad taste in my mouth
• matter of taste
• popular taste
• season to taste
• taste blood
• taste bud
• taste of things to come
• there's no accounting for taste
• to someone's taste
• to taste

Kids Definition

taste

1 of 2 verb

ˈtāst 

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 noun

1

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

ˈtāst 

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

2 of 2 noun

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