Palatable Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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palatable

[หˆpรฆlษ™tษ™bษ™l ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

food

Pleasant to taste; acceptable or agreeable to the palate or taste buds.

Synonyms

appetizing, delicious, tasty.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
palatable

Used to describe something that is acceptable or satisfactory to taste, but not necessarily exceptional. Often used in more formal contexts.

  • The fish was cooked well and was quite palatable.
  • She found the wine palatable, even though she wasn't usually a fan of reds.
tasty

Describes food that has a pleasant flavor. It can be used in casual conversations.

  • This sandwich is really tasty.
  • Do you want to try this soup? It's quite tasty.
delicious

Used to describe food with a very pleasing taste. It is the highest praise for the flavor.

  • The chocolate cake was absolutely delicious.
  • She couldn't stop eating the delicious pasta.
appetizing

Often used to describe food that looks and smells good, making you want to eat it. Common in food reviews and descriptions.

  • The aroma of the freshly baked bread was incredibly appetizing.
  • The chef's special dessert was as appetizing as it looked.

Examples of usage

  • The soup was not very palatable, so I added some more seasoning.
  • The chef worked hard to make the dish more palatable to the customers.
Context #2 | Adjective

idea

Acceptable or satisfactory; able to be accepted or tolerated.

Synonyms

acceptable, agreeable, tolerable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
palatable

This word was duplicated. Refer to the first entry for 'palatable'.

acceptable

Used when something is satisfactory or meets a required standard or expectation. Can describe behavior, conditions, or performance.

  • Her performance on the test was acceptable, but there is room for improvement.
  • The cleanliness of the restaurant was just barely acceptable.
tolerable

Used when something is bearable or can be endured, though it might not be particularly good or enjoyable. Often has a slightly negative connotation.

  • The heat was barely tolerable without air conditioning.
  • Her constant complaints are tolerable, but they do get tiring after a while.
agreeable

Used to describe someone or something that is pleasant, nice, or enjoyable. It often conveys a sense of ease and willingness to concur or cooperate.

  • We had an agreeable evening, chatting by the fireplace.
  • She is an agreeable companion for long trips.

Examples of usage

  • The proposed changes were not palatable to all members of the team.
  • Her decision was not palatable to everyone, but it had to be made.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Culinary Arts

  • Chefs often consider texture and presentation essential for making a dish palatable, not just flavor.
  • Pairing ingredients effectively can enhance the palatability of a dish, like sweet and savory mixes.
  • Taste preferences can vary widely among cultures, making what is palatable for one culture possibly unappealing for another.

Culture & Society

  • Palatable is often used in discussions about dietary adjustments to make healthier options more appealing to people.
  • Food marketing heavily relies on making products seem palatable to attract customers, using colorful packaging and appetizing descriptions.
  • Restaurants may use the term to describe items on their menu, emphasizing that a particular dish is suitable for a wide audience.

Psychology

  • People's perceptions of taste are influenced not only by actual flavors but also by colors and presentation.
  • Studies show that emotional states can affect how palatable people find certain foods, with happy moods enhancing taste experiences.
  • Familiarity also plays a role; we often find foods that remind us of home or childhood more palatable.

Literature

  • Authors often use 'palatable' metaphorically to describe ideas or concepts that are easier to accept, just like food.
  • In poetry, flavors can symbolize emotions, making palatable images contribute to a broader emotional experience.
  • The concept is sometimes explored in literary critiques, where difficult themes are discussed in a way that makes them more palatable to readers.

Origin of 'palatable'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'palatum', meaning 'roof of the mouth' or 'taste'.
  • It has been used in English since the 15th century, originally referring to flavors that are pleasing.
  • The suffix '-able' means โ€˜capable of,โ€™ indicating that something can be enjoyed by the palate.

The word "palatable" originated from the Latin word "palฤtฤbilis", which means pleasing to the palate. It first appeared in English in the early 17th century. The concept of palatability has long been associated with the enjoyment of food and the satisfaction of taste. Over time, the term has expanded to include the acceptability or agreeableness of various things beyond just food, such as ideas or actions.


Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,570, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.