What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
licking
Example
The dog was licking its paw after stepping on a thorn. [licking: verb]
Example
She gave the spoon a quick lick to taste the soup. [lick: noun]
Example
The cat was licking its kitten to keep it clean. [licking: gerund or present participle]
taste
Example
The soup had a strong taste of garlic. [taste: noun]
Example
He tasted the wine before deciding to buy a bottle. [tasted: past tense]
Example
I have a sweet tooth and love the taste of chocolate. [taste: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Taste is more commonly used than licking in everyday language. Taste is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, from describing the flavor of food to expressing preferences or opinions. Licking is less common and is usually used in specific situations, such as describing an animal's behavior or the act of tasting something by licking it.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between licking and taste?
Taste is a more formal word than licking, as it is often used in professional or academic contexts, such as food criticism or sensory analysis. Licking is more informal and casual, and is typically used in everyday conversation or in informal writing.
