acquired taste

USAGE SUMMARY

'acquired taste' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that takes time or experience to appreciate. For example: "Whisky is an acquired taste, so give it some time before forming an opinion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's an acquired taste.

The Economist

They're an acquired taste.

The New York Times - Arts

He's an acquired taste.

The New York Times - Arts

An acquired taste"?

The Guardian - Music

An acquired taste, maybe?

The Guardian

They have suddenly acquired taste.

Independent

Molasses is an acquired taste.

Independent

Like Deák's, an acquired taste.

The Guardian - Books

Boeheim is an acquired taste.

The Guardian - Sport

Maybe it's an acquired taste.

The New York Times

Food movies are an acquired taste.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acquired taste" when you want to convey that appreciation for something is not immediate or universal, but develops over time through exposure or experience.

Common error

Don't assume something is an "acquired taste" simply because you don't like it. The phrase implies that repeated exposure can lead to appreciation, not just that it's disliked by some.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acquired taste" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a predicate nominative or object of a preposition. As supported by Ludwig, it denotes something that is not immediately liked but can be appreciated after experience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acquired taste" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that takes time or repeated exposure to appreciate. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, it's used to soften criticism and suggest that initial dislike doesn't preclude eventual enjoyment. Consider alternatives like "cultivated appreciation" or "something you grow to love" for nuanced expression. Avoid assuming something is an "acquired taste" merely based on personal dislike; the essence lies in the potential for developing appreciation through exposure. It indicates that something's appeal is subjective and developed, not immediately apparent to everyone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taste that develops over time

Directly states the time-dependent nature of the taste.

something you need to get used to

Focuses on the process of familiarization.

developed liking

Highlights the gradual growth of affection for something.

learned preference

Emphasizes the learned nature of the preference.

cultivated appreciation

Focuses on the deliberate effort involved in developing a taste.

something you grow to love

Expresses the gradual development of love for something.

grown-on-me quality

Uses a more informal, descriptive tone.

initially unappealing but rewarding

Highlights the initial negative perception followed by a positive outcome.

not for everyone at first

Emphasizes the exclusivity and initial difficulty in appreciation.

something that requires patience to enjoy

Focuses on the patience needed to appreciate something.

FAQs

How can I use "acquired taste" in a sentence?

You can use "acquired taste" to describe anything from food and music to hobbies and art. For example, "Black coffee is an acquired taste" or "Modern art can be an acquired taste".

What's a more formal way to say "acquired taste"?

While "acquired taste" is widely acceptable, a more formal alternative could be "cultivated appreciation" or "developed preference". These phrases emphasize the effort or time involved in developing the liking.

What can I say instead of "acquired taste" when describing a food?

For food, you might say it's "an unusual flavor", "something you grow to like", or "not for every palate at first". You could also say that the flavor is complex and requires repeated exposure to appreciate fully.

Is it correct to say "acquire a taste" instead of "acquired taste"?

"Acquire a taste" is a verb phrase meaning to develop a liking for something. "Acquired taste" is a noun phrase describing something that requires time and experience to appreciate. You "acquire a taste" for something that is an "acquired taste".