What does palate mean?
Palate most often refers to a person's sense of taste or, figuratively, to their distinctive preferences and ability to appreciate quality. A phrase such as “a delicate palate” describes someone who can discriminate subtle differences in food or drink, while “a literary palate” extends this idea to art, music, or writing. Palate also has the anatomical meaning “the roof of the mouth,” though this use is more technical than the figurative senses. In conversation, the word tends to sound refined or literary rather than everyday. Its history reflects a similar progression: the Latin word palatum originally denoted the roof of the mouth, and English later extended the word to taste and then to aesthetic preference. The related adjective palatable means “pleasant to the taste” or, figuratively, “acceptable,” while palatal describes something relating to the roof of the mouth.
The roof of the mouth; the sense of taste; or, figuratively, a person's taste, preferences, or discriminating appreciation.
"Her broad palate included both traditional cooking and unfamiliar cuisines."
The anatomical sense is more technical, while the figurative sense is common in discussion of food, drink, literature, and the arts.
To taste with relish or to find pleasing.
"The visitors palated the subtle spice in the tea."
This verb is literary and much less common than the noun.
Used for multiple mouths or roof structures and, figuratively, for the tastes or preferences of multiple people.
"The restaurant appealed to palates with very different tastes."
Your palate begins as the roof of your mouth, but it can also mean the part of you that knows what you enjoy.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does palate come from?
English palate came through Old French palat, meaning “the roof of the mouth,” from Latin palatum. Its English sense developed from the physical structure of the mouth to the sense of taste and then to figurative taste or preference. Related English forms include palatable and palatal, while palatial and palace belong to the same broader Latin family associated with Latin palatium.
Related word forms
How palate is actually used
The figurative sense is especially common in formal discussion of food, wine, literature, and the arts. The verb is literary and considerably less common than the noun.
Easily confused with palate
A palate is the roof of the mouth or a metaphorical sense of taste, whereas a pallet is a low platform used for carrying goods or another distinct object.