tastelessness

/ˈteɪstləsnəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈteɪstləsnəs/ (ame, ipa)

tastelessness — noun

1. the quality of words, jokes, or actions that upset people because they are badly

1.名詞C2
釋義

the quality of words, jokes, or actions that upset people because they are badly judged for a serious or sensitive situation

例句

The tastelessness of the joke shocked guests at Nia's memorial dinner.

the tastelessness of [joke] - core noun pattern

Parents complained about the tastelessness of the poster outside the school gate.

同義詞
  • offensiveness

    more direct and formal; focuses on causing hurt or anger

  • insensitivity

    stresses lack of awareness of other people's feelings

  • rudeness

    broader everyday word for bad manners, not only serious offence

  • vulgarity

    stronger and often linked to crude or shocking content

反義詞
  • sensitivity

    careful awareness of other people's feelings

  • tact

    skill in saying things without upsetting people

文法句型

the tastelessness of [joke/comment/behaviour]

用法筆記

Almost always uncountable and most often followed by of plus the remark, joke, image, or behaviour being judged. It is commonly used for insensitive humour or comments linked to death, illness, disaster, or other painful events.

常見錯誤

❌The tastelessness of the soup upset everyone.
✅The tastelessness of the joke upset everyone.
💡This sense is about social offence, not lack of flavour.
❌There were several tastelessnesses in his speech.
✅There was a lot of tastelessness in his speech.
💡The noun is normally uncountable.

2. the quality of choosing clothes, furniture, art, or decoration in a way that loo

2.名詞C2
釋義

the quality of choosing clothes, furniture, art, or decoration in a way that looks ugly, cheap, or lacking style

例句

The tastelessness of the hotel lobby embarrassed Harper during the wedding photos.

the tastelessness of [place] - aesthetic criticism

Guests laughed at the tastelessness of the gold sofa and mirror walls.

同義詞
  • gaudiness

    focuses on bright or showy decoration

  • vulgarity

    stronger judgment; often suggests flashy bad taste

  • tackiness

    more informal; cheap-looking and lacking class

  • crudeness

    broader; can include a rough or unsophisticated look

反義詞

文法句型

the tastelessness of [decor/outfit/design]

用法筆記

Usually used for visible things people have chosen or arranged, such as rooms, clothes, furniture, or decorations. It judges poor style or display, not bad behaviour in a sensitive situation.

常見錯誤

❌The tastelessness of the funeral joke angered everyone.
✅The offensiveness of the funeral joke angered everyone.
💡This sense is about ugly style, not socially insensitive remarks.
❌The tastelessness of the soup came from too little salt.
✅The lack of flavour in the soup came from too little salt.
💡This sense is not about food.

3. the state of food having very little flavour, so that eating it feels flat and u

3.名詞C2
釋義

the state of food having very little flavour, so that eating it feels flat and uninteresting

例句

The tastelessness of the soup surprised Vikram after two hours of cooking.

the tastelessness of [food] - flavour sense

Everyone noticed the tastelessness of the noodles when the cook forgot the salt.

同義詞
  • blandness

    more common for food that lacks strong taste

  • insipidity

    formal and literary; weak or dull flavour

  • flatness

    used when flavour feels dull or dead

反義詞

文法句型

the tastelessness of [food/meal/soup]

用法筆記

This sense is mainly used for food and sometimes weak drinks. It often appears in complaints about meals that were badly seasoned, overboiled, or cooked without enough fat, herbs, or salt.

常見錯誤

❌The tastelessness of the curtains ruined the room.
✅The tastelessness of the decor ruined the room.
💡This sense is about flavour, not visual style.
❌The tastelessness of his comment was hard to forgive.
✅The offensiveness of his comment was hard to forgive.
💡This sense does not describe rude remarks.