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Definition of palate

palate

/ˈpæl.ət/
pal · ate
Adverb:palatally
•
Plural:palates
•
Adjective:palatal
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palate Lexical Profile

palate Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person's ability to distinguish between and appreciate different flavors, especially in food and wine.

Example

"Years of training in French kitchens helped the chef develop a refined palate for subtle herbs and spices."

2

The roof of the mouth in humans and other vertebrates, separating the oral cavity from the nasal cavity and consisting of an anterior bony hard palate and a posterior muscular soft palate.

Example

"The hot soup burned the roof of his palate before he could swallow it."

3

The characteristic flavor and mouthfeel of a wine, beer, or other beverage.

Example

"This aged Cabernet Sauvignon offers a rich, velvety palate with notes of blackberry and cedar."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for palate
Antonyms
View all antonyms for palate

Word Nuance & Usage

Frequently confused with its homophones 'palette' (an artist's paint-mixing board or a range of colors) and 'pallet' (a portable wooden shipping platform or a makeshift bed).

• Rhymes for palate

• Nearby Words

palatability
palatable
palatably
palate
palatial
palatovelar
palau

Word Origin & Etymology

Middle English, from Old French palat or directly from Latin palatum, meaning the roof of the mouth and, by extension, the sense of taste.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Palate. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/palate
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