WordGarden.iopalatable
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈælətəbəl/
US
- /ˈpælətəbəl/
Meanings
Adjective
pleasant enough to eat or drink
acceptable or tolerable to people
Beyond the definition
If a food is palatable, it tastes good. But "palatable" is not just about taste. It can also describe ideas or plans that are easy to accept or agree with. Think about offering a middle ground: you want something palatable to both sides. A politician might try to make a policy more palatable to the public by explaining it in simpler terms. If your friend suggests skydiving but you're afraid of heights, they might need to offer a more palatable choice, like mini-golf.
The word comes from "palate," which is the roof of your mouth—the place associated with your sense of taste. So, something palatable pleases the palate... and maybe other parts of you too.
"Palatable" originally described food that is pleasant to taste—something easily enjoyed by the senses. Think of a warm bowl of soup on a cold day: it's comforting and palatable. "The chef worked hard to make the new dish palatable to even the most discerning customers."
However, over time, "palatable" has expanded beyond just flavor. It now describes anything that is acceptable or agreeable—not necessarily delicious, but easy to accept. A politician might try to present a difficult policy in a palatable way, softening the edges to make it more appealing to voters. An idea can be palatable if it seems reasonable and likely to succeed.
Consider this: you might find broccoli perfectly palatable (if you like it!), but the thought of eating insects is probably not very palatable! It's about what feels comfortable and acceptable, whether on your tongue or in your mind.
The key takeaway is that "palatable" suggests something isn't offensive or unpleasant; it's "easy to swallow," literally or figuratively. So, next time you encounter a tricky situation or a challenging idea, ask yourself: Is this palatable? If not, what changes could make it so?
Examples
- 1
Medicine taste
The medicine tasted bitter, so the nurse mixed it with juice to make it more palatable.
- 2
Simple food
After hours in the cold, even the plain soup seemed perfectly palatable.
- 3
Difficult news
The manager looked for a more palatable way to announce the budget cuts.
- Patternmake X more palatable
make X easier to accept
- 4
Compromise
The compromise was palatable to both sides because no one lost too much.
- Patternpalatable to + person/group
acceptable to them
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Politics
A small tax increase may be more politically palatable than a sudden rise in fares.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- palatableadjective