Advertisement

Advertisement

acquired taste

noun

  1. something that is unfamiliar or objectionable but becomes gradually more liked or accepted:

    His modern paintings are an acquired taste.



acquired taste

noun

  1. a liking for something that is at first considered unpleasant
  2. the thing so liked


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of acquired taste1

First recorded in 1730–40

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

Something one learns to like rather than appreciates immediately. For example, Because it is so salty, caviar for many individuals is an acquired taste , or With its lack of decorative detail, this china pattern is definitely an acquired taste . [Mid-1800s]

Discover More

Example Sentences

So far, baijiu seems to be an acquired taste for Westerners.

An acquired taste, certainly, but once acquired never regretted.

Horse is an acquired taste that, as yet, I haven't acquired.

Some think dark chocolate is an acquired taste, but those who like it have a true passion for it.

"Poetry, like cucumbers, is an acquired taste," he said after a while.

Bonnet seemed to be growing proud of his newly acquired taste for rapacity and cruelty.

Smoking is an acquired taste, and it must be as easy to learn to like one flavour as another.

It is an acquired taste, if ever it is really liked as much as people say.

It is an acquired taste,—which comes upon one as does that for smoked whisky, or Limerick tobacco.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement