tastelessadj.
/ˈteɪstlɪs/ 1. Destitute of the sense of taste; unable to taste. Also figurative. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > bad taste > [adjective] > unable to taste
tasteless1605
the mind > emotion > absence of emotion > [adjective] > lacking emotional sensibility
unfeelingc1000
mis-feelinga1382
stonishc1450
unpainfulc1450
obtuse1509
sprightlessa1522
insensate1553
senseless1560
soulless1568
dull-esprited1591
impassible1592
bluntie1598
impenetrable1600
stockish1600
stolidc1600
incapable1601
stupid1605
tasteless1605
unsensitive1610
unexalted1611
insensible1617
unsensible1619
languid1622
immovable1639
dead-hearted1642
sterile1642
resupine1643
unaffectionate1645
iron-bound1648
resentlessa1649
torpid1656
torpulent1657
impassive1699
unreceptive1722
hebete1743
apathetic1744
stubbed1744
gustless1766
unresponsive1768
unsusceptible1779
tideless-blooded1786
unaffectioned1788
inaccessible1796
hebetudinous1820
unimpressible1828
insensitive1834
apathetical1835
non-sensitive1836
blunt-hearted1845
irreceptive1846
unreceptant1846
unimpressionable1847
anaesthetic1860
insentient1860
hard (also tough, sharp) as nails1862
unsqueamish1893
tone-deaf1894
unget-at-able1897
facty1901
zombie1937
pegamoid1957
the world > physical sensation > taste and flavour > insipidity > [adjective] > without sense of taste
out of tastea1542
tasteless1605
untasting1707
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. iv. 120 When wilfully his taste-les Taste delights In things vnsauorie to sound Appetites.
a1631 J. Donne Funeral Elegy in Poems (1654) 219 As aged men are glad Being tastlesse grown, to joy in joyes they had.
1705 C. Cibber Careless Husband v. v. 60 Won't you think me tastless to the Joy you've given me?
1713 N. Rowe Jane Shore v. i My tasteless Tongue cleaves to the clammy Roof.
1820 C. R. Maturin Melmoth IV. xxv. 101 Every thing that could tempt the tasteless palate of age.
2. Without taste or flavour; exciting no sensation of taste; insipid.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > taste and flavour > insipidity > [adjective]
wallowc897
smatchless?c1225
unsavoury?c1225
fresha1398
savourlessa1398
wearish1398
wershed1398
fond?c1430
unsavoured1435
palled1440
mildc1450
walsh1513
wallowish1548
dead1552
waterish1566
cold1585
flatten1594
seasonless1595
wersha1599
blown1600
flash1601
fatuous1608
tasteless1611
flat1617
insipid1620
ingustable1623
flashy1625
flatted1626
saltless1633
gustless1636
remiss1655
rheumatical1655
untasteable1656
vapid1656
exolete1657
distasted1662
vappous1673
insulse1676
toothless1679
mawkisha1697
intastable1701
waugh1703
impoignant1733
flavourless1736
instimulating1740
deadish1742
mawky1755
brineless1791
wishy-washy1791
keestless1802
shilpit1814
wish-washy1814
sapidless1821
silent1826
slushy1839
bland1878
spendsavour1879
wish-wash1896
dolled1917
spiceless1980
1611 J. Florio Queen Anna's New World of Words Insaporito, vnsauorie, tastelesse.
1661–79 R. Boyle Sceptical Chymist iv, in Wks. (1772) I. 533 He never was able to make them [chymical oils] tasteless.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. xii. 267 Very dry and tasteless eating.
1829 J. Togno & E. Durand tr. H. Milne-Edwards & P. Vavasseur Man. Materia Medica ix. 353 A powder of an orange yellow colour, inodorous and tasteless.
3. figurative. Exciting no interest; dull, insipid, uninteresting.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > feeling of weariness or tedium > [adjective] > wearisome or tedious > bland or insipid
colourlessc1425
unsavouryc1449
wearish?1533
wersha1599
tasteless1603
tame1604
juiceless1620
water gruela1627
dry1632
soulless1632
frigid1643
vapid1656
insipida1684
fade1715
heartless1780
vapid1785
achromatic1799
sauceless1817
albuminous1858
antiseptic1891
flat-footed1899
unatmospheric1913
defanged1920
anodyne1933
spiceless1942
tea-party1961
nothingburger1965
1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. i. xlii. 143 Enterludes and commedies rejoyce and make-vs merry, but to players they are tedious and tastelesse.
1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 248 The song of Sion is a tasteless thing, Unless when rising on a joyful wing.
1814 W. Wordsworth Excursion i. 33 A while on trivial things we held discourse, To me soon tasteless . View more context for this quotation
1822 C. Lamb in London Mag. Mar. 283/1 If it [sentiment] have time to cool, it is the most tasteless of all cold meats.
4. Devoid of good taste; of persons, lacking in discrimination, or in critical discernment and appreciation; of things, showing want of good taste.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > bad taste > [adjective]
untasteful1618
ugly1621
tasteless1676
low-browed1782
styleless1796
unaesthetic1832
inaesthetic1846
tacky1862
bad taste1895
ticky-tacky1969
cheeseball1993
1676 G. Etherege Man of Mode iii. ii. 44 Nature..puts sophisticate dulness often on the tastless Multitude for true wit and good humour.
1709 J. Swift in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eminent Literary Men (1843) (Camden) 342 Your Lordship is universally admired by this tastless People.
1791 W. Gilpin Remarks Forest Scenery II. 75 It not only shews the hand of art; but of the most tastless art.
1843 W. H. Prescott Hist. Conquest Mexico I. i. ii. 50 As different from their ancestors as are the modern Egyptians from those who built,—I will not say, the tasteless pyramids.
1853 C. Kingsley Hypatia I. vii. 157 The tasteless fashion of an artificial and decaying civilization.
Derivatives
ˈtastelessly adv. in a tasteless manner; without taste.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > bad taste > [adverb]
tastelessly1854
untastefully1863
tackily1936
1854 Tait's Edinb. Mag. 21 386 Even that comes tastelessly on the ear of the player on the world's stage, unless it is accompanied with a bouquet.
1880 Daily News 30 Nov. 3/1 Their houses..are solidly if tastelessly furnished.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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adj.1603