foul taste

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foul taste" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unpleasant or offensive flavor experienced when consuming food or drink. Example: "After taking a sip of the expired milk, I was met with a foul taste that made me gag."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Sometimes a foul taste, weird noise, and noxious taste.

The Guardian

The distinctive colour patterns of certain species warn predators of their foul taste.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If so, did it leave a foul taste in the mouth?

The Guardian - Film

Hasselbeck erased the foul taste from both interceptions with a career-defining moment.

The New York Times - Sports

New Yorkers received tainted water for decades, despite persistent protests over the foul taste.

The New Yorker

"All I know is that if I spend 30 minutes outside I get a foul taste in my mouth and my tongue feels strange".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

They were looking for defects: a peanutty taste indicated the presence of beans from unripe cherry, known as quakers; a foul, fetid taste meant that the beans had been attacked by the tenacious borer beetle.

The New Yorker

I also tried the patch (useless), gum (foul tasting and useless) and cold turkey (gave me unbearable rage) but managed to stop smoking before vapes became ubiquitous.

Independent

Eating for convenience can be a foul tasting medicine.

Huffington Post

You see, almost all blowfish contain tetrodotoxin, a substance that makes them foul tasting and often lethal to fish.

Huffington Post

Its chief means of defence lies in the foul tasting secretion that is produced by its paratoid glands and other glands on its skin.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sensory experience, use "foul taste" to specifically denote an extremely unpleasant or offensive flavor. It can effectively convey the intensity of the negative sensation.

Common error

While "foul taste" is acceptable, consider using more precise or sophisticated language in formal writing. Alternatives like "unpleasant flavor" or "offensive taste" can add nuance and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foul taste" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "foul" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "taste". It describes a specific quality or characteristic of a taste experience. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

27%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "foul taste" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe an extremely unpleasant flavor. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase and is versatile enough to be used across various contexts, including news, science, and general communication. While alternatives like "awful flavor" or "unpleasant taste" exist, "foul taste" effectively conveys the intensity of the negative sensory experience. When considering formal contexts, choose specific or sophisticated terms. It's worth noting that "foul taste" primarily appears in News & Media and Science sources, denoting its widespread application in describing aversive experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Awful flavor

Replaces "foul" with "awful", emphasizing the unpleasantness of the taste.

Disgusting taste

Substitutes "foul" with "disgusting", intensifying the negative sensation.

Nasty flavor

Uses "nasty" instead of "foul", conveying a similar sense of repulsiveness.

Unpleasant taste

Replaces "foul" with "unpleasant", providing a more neutral description.

Offensive taste

Uses "offensive" instead of "foul", highlighting the disagreeable nature of the taste.

Repulsive taste

Substitutes "foul" with "repulsive", stressing the aversion caused by the taste.

Terrible taste

Replaces "foul" with "terrible", emphasizing the extreme negativity of the taste experience.

Bad taste

A more general term for an undesirable flavor experience.

Distasteful flavor

Replaces "foul" with "distasteful", which indicates something unappetizing or objectionable.

Obnoxious taste

This alternative intensifies the description of the taste as highly unpleasant and offensive.

FAQs

What does "foul taste" mean?

"Foul taste" refers to a very unpleasant or offensive flavor, often leaving a negative sensation. It's used to describe something that is extremely unpalatable or disagreeable.

What can I say instead of "foul taste"?

You can use alternatives like "awful flavor", "disgusting taste", or "unpleasant taste" depending on the context.

How to use "foul taste" in a sentence?

You can use "foul taste" to describe spoiled food, contaminated water, or medicine. For example: "The expired milk left a "foul taste" in my mouth" or "Residents complained about the "foul taste" of the tap water".

Is "foul taste" a formal or informal expression?

"Foul taste" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might prefer alternatives like "unpleasant flavor" or "offensive taste".