palate

/ˈpælət/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpælət/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpa-lət/ (ame, mw)

palate — noun

  • palatesingular
  • palatesplural

1. the curved surface above your tongue inside your mouth, forming the roof that se

1.名詞C1
釋義

the curved surface above your tongue inside your mouth, forming the roof that separates your mouth from your nose.

例句

The hot pizza burned Omar's palate before the cheese had cooled.

collocation: burn someone's palate

The dentist checked Camila's palate with a small mirror and light.

medical context: check someone's palate

同義詞
  • roof of the mouth

    everyday phrase for the same area; less formal than 'palate'

  • hard palate

    the firm front part of the palate rather than the whole structure

  • soft palate

    the softer back part near the throat, not the entire roof

文法句型

the palate

hard palate

soft palate

on the palate

用法筆記

Often appears in medical or dental contexts. In everyday English, many speakers say 'the roof of your mouth' instead of 'palate,' especially outside formal explanations.

常見錯誤

❌The soup burned the top of my mouth.
✅The soup burned the roof of my mouth' or 'burned my palate.
💡English normally says 'roof of my mouth'; 'top of my mouth' sounds unnatural.

2. skill in noticing fine flavours and judging the quality of food or wine.

2.名詞C2
釋義

skill in noticing fine flavours and judging the quality of food or wine.

例句

The cheese buyer trusted Sari's palate when choosing new French imports.

pattern: trust someone's palate

Years in the bakery trained Cole's palate to catch tiny changes in butter.

pattern: train someone's palate

同義詞
  • taste

    broader and more common; can also refer to art, clothes, or general preference

  • discernment

    more formal and wider in meaning; not limited to flavour

  • appreciation

    focuses on enjoyment and recognition of quality rather than physical tasting alone

文法句型

a refined palate

a trained palate

trust someone's palate

用法筆記

This sense is mainly used when discussing food or wine with an expert or appreciative tone. It describes judging quality, not just the physical ability to taste.

常見錯誤

❌She has a good palate in music.
✅She has good taste in music.
💡'palate' is mainly used for food and drink, not for art or music.