palatable

/ˈpælədəbəl/

/ˈpælətəbəl/

Something that is palatable is acceptable to one’s sense of taste—literally or figuratively. If it's palatable, then you can put up with it — whether it's leftovers or a mediocre made-for-TV movie.

The palate is the roof of the mouth, the combination of structures that separates the mouth from the nose. Early anatomists believed that the sense of taste was located in the palate, and, just as taste is metaphorically expanded to include sensibilities beyond the experience of food and drink, so palatable can be used to describe phenomena beyond the culinary. And, while palatable can mean pleasing or agreeable, it generally means merely tolerable—edible, rather than delicious.

Definitions of palatable

1. adjective

   acceptable to the taste or mind
   “palatable food”

   “a palatable solution to the problem”

   synonyms: toothsome

   appetising, appetizing

   appealing to or stimulating the appetite especially in appearance or aroma

   comestible, eatable, edible

   suitable for use as food

   tasty

   pleasing to the sense of taste

   antonyms:

   unpalatable

   not pleasant or acceptable to the taste or mind

   unappetising, unappetizing

   not appetizing in appearance, aroma, or taste

   inedible, uneatable

   not suitable for food

   offensive

   unpleasant or disgusting especially to the senses

   brackish

   distasteful and unpleasant; spoiled by mixture

   distasteful, unsavory, unsavoury

   not pleasing in odor or taste

   unpleasant

   disagreeable to the senses, to the mind, or feelings

   tasteless

   lacking flavor