acquired taste

Save This Word!

noun

something that is unfamiliar or objectionable but becomes gradually more liked or accepted: His modern paintings are an acquired taste.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of acquired taste

First recorded in 1730–40

Words nearby acquired taste

acquired character, acquired characteristic, acquired drive, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, acquired immunity, acquired taste, acquiree, acquirement, acquis communautaire, acquisition, acquisition accounting

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use acquired taste in a sentence

Thompson’s trademark gonzo style is an acquired taste, as popular works like Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas have shown.
Everything Our Editors Loved in November|smurguia|December 8, 2021|Outside Online
Curved displays are an acquired taste, but the Gigabyte G27QC A has many great qualities for a budget monitor.
The best cheap gaming monitors play above their price|Eric Frederiksen|December 7, 2021|Popular-Science
While the puzzles and action of his franchise can be an acquired taste, there’s no question that the graphics taste delicious, like cloying, artificial fruit flavors in 2-percent milk.
Best Nintendo Switch games for graphics: The titles that justify jumping to the big screen|Billy Cadden|June 20, 2021|Popular-Science
So far, baijiu seems to be an acquired taste for Westerners.
The Most Powerful Liquor in the World|Kayleigh Kulp|August 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

An acquired taste, certainly, but once acquired never regretted.
Queen Victoria’s Secret Scottish Sex Castle|Clive Irving|August 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Horse is an acquired taste that, as yet, I haven't acquired.
My Horsemeat Lunch|Christopher Dickey|February 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Some think dark chocolate is an acquired taste, but those who like it have a true passion for it.
Four Chocolate Questions Answered|Mary Goodbody|September 29, 2009|DAILY BEAST
"Poetry, like cucumbers, is an acquired taste," he said after a while.
The Daffodil Mystery|Edgar Wallace
Bonnet seemed to be growing proud of his newly acquired taste for rapacity and cruelty.
Kate Bonnet|Frank R. Stockton
Smoking is an acquired taste, and it must be as easy to learn to like one flavour as another.
Sketches in Lavender, Blue and Green|Jerome K. Jerome
It is an acquired taste, if ever it is really liked as much as people say.
Forty Thousand Miles Over Land and Water|Lady (Ethel Gwendoline [Moffatt]) Vincent
It is an acquired taste,—which comes upon one as does that for smoked whisky, or Limerick tobacco.
North America, Volume II (of 2)|Anthony Trollope

British Dictionary definitions for acquired taste

acquired taste

noun

a liking for something that is at first considered unpleasant

the thing so liked

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with acquired taste

acquired taste

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]