taste

1 of 2

verb

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

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
The remaining 25% of people cannot taste bitter well and couldn't make it as a cheese judge, Sommer said. Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024 An avid traveler, Grosz has tasted dishes that have met the standards to earn three Michelin stars and believes Detroit delivers the same level of excellence. Detroit Free Press, 5 Mar. 2024 This Year 09 of 15 Lemon-Cucumber Refresher View Recipe Light rum and fresh lemon never tasted so good. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2024 On board, guests can taste the destination’s famous wine, Aposperitis. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2024 That includes what the trout eat and, ultimately, taste like for the consumer. Debra Skodack, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2024 The pair also plan to open a currently unnamed Thai izakaya in Melrose Hill, which might also offer a tasting menu, currently targeted for a 2025 debut. Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024 Light and airy Peach Buttercream tastes divine with rich, deep flavors like in our Brown Sugar Layer Cake With Peach Buttercream. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2024 Avocado tastes great with just about everything, from breakfast to dinner (and even with dessert!). Audrey Bruno, SELF, 21 Feb. 2024
Noun
Josh McInnes, a researcher at the University of British Columbia, told USA TODAY the incident shows that killer whales not only are competing with white sharks for seals in the waters off South Africa but also that the mammals can develop niche tastes and independently overpower white sharks. Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 The company also built a robust platform with recommendations based on a user’s past viewing habits, with trailers and titles promoted tailored to their tastes. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2024 Jonathan speaks of expecting a diverse clientele in the restaurant’s first year but being happily surprised that Dominicans drive from all over the region, grateful and nostalgic for the smells and tastes. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 There was a distinct herbal, minty note that overpowered much of the chocolate taste. Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 6 Mar. 2024 The notion that Black business owners could profit from Mexican traditions and adapt them to their consumers’ taste preferences can be a point of contention. Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024 But manufacturers are working get the taste and texture right, said Chris DuBois, executive vice president at Circana. Deena Shanker, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2024 People and businesses often have to make decisions beyond their personal tastes because there are so many options. Brianna Kamienski, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 Vinyl destination:Where to buy records in Louisville for music fans of all tastes When will the RSD special releases be available to order online? Katie Wiseman, The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'taste.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of taste was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near taste

Cite this Entry

“Taste.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taste. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids 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 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
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

More from Merriam-Webster on taste

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