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¹taste

verb \ˈtāst\

: to have a particular taste

: to sense the flavor of (something that you are eating or drinking)

: to put a small amount of (food or drink) in your mouth in order to find out what its flavor is

tast·edtast·ing

Full Definition of TASTE

transitive verb

: to become acquainted with by experience <has tasted the frustration of defeat>

: to ascertain the flavor of by taking a little into the mouth

: to eat or drink especially in small quantities

: to perceive or recognize as if by the sense of taste

archaic : appreciate, enjoy

intransitive verb

: to eat or drink a little

: to test the flavor of something by taking a small part into the mouth

: to have perception, experience, or enjoyment : partake —often used with of

: to have a specific flavor <the apple tastes sour>

See taste defined for English-language learners

See taste defined for kids

Origin of TASTE

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to TASTE

Synonyms: endure, feel, have, know, pass, see, suffer, sustain, experience, undergo, witness

Rhymes with TASTE

based, baste, chaste, haste, laced, paste, waist, waste

²taste

noun

: the sweet, sour, bitter, or salty quality of a thing that you can sense when it is in your mouth : the flavor that you can taste when you eat or drink something

: the ability to notice or recognize flavors when you eat or drink : the ability to taste things

: a small amount of food or drink that you have in order to see how it tastes

Full Definition of TASTE

obsolete : test

a obsolete : the act of tasting

b : a small amount tasted

c : a small amount : bit; especially : a sample of experience <her first taste of success>

: the special sense that perceives and distinguishes the sweet, sour, bitter, or salty quality of a dissolved substance and is mediated by taste buds on the tongue

: the objective sweet, sour, bitter, or salty quality of a dissolved substance as perceived by the sense of taste

a : 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

b : the distinctive quality of an experience <that gruesome scene left a bad taste in my mouth>

: individual preference : inclination

a : critical judgment, discernment, or appreciation

b : manner or aesthetic quality indicative of such discernment or appreciation

See taste defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of TASTE

14th century

Related to TASTE

Synonyms: flavor, savor (also savour)

Antonyms: aversion, disfavor, disgust, dislike, distaste, hatred, loathing, mislike

TASTED Defined for Kids

¹taste

verb \ˈtāst\

tast·edtast·ing

Definition of TASTE for Kids

: to find out the flavor of something by taking a little into the mouth <He has never tasted mango.>

: to have a certain flavor <The milk tastes sour.>

: to recognize by the sense of taste <I can taste salt in the soup.>

: to eat or drink usually in small amounts <May I taste your dessert?>

: ²experience <She has the opportunity to taste big city life.>

— tast·er noun

²taste

noun

Definition of TASTE for Kids

: the sense by which sweet, sour, bitter, or salty flavors are detected through sense organs (taste buds) in the tongue

: the quality of something recognized by the sense of taste or by this together with smell and touch : flavor <The fruit had a bitter taste.>

: a small amount tasted <Do you want a taste of the ice cream?>

: a personal liking <My sister has very expensive tastes.>

: the ability to choose and enjoy what is good or beautiful <He has good taste in clothes.>

: a sample of what something is like <… give them a taste of what you can do and you're in, performing for the crowd … — Karen Hesse, Out of the Dust>