tasteless

Definitions

taste + -less = without taste — and the word splits along the root's two senses. Without flavor (tasteless soup) is the literal mouth sense; without good judgment (a tasteless joke) is the figurative mind sense. The same -less ending covers both because 'taste' itself covers both.

Why It Means This

Watch the two senses in action: 'tasteless water' is about the tongue, 'tasteless behavior' is about character. Context tells you which — food and drink trigger the literal sense, while jokes, decor, and conduct trigger the 'no class' sense.

Common Collocations

• 1.tasteless joke低俗的笑话
• 2.tasteless remark失礼的言论
• 3.bland and tasteless平淡无味
• 4.in a tasteless way俗气地

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The hospital food was bland and almost tasteless.

• 2.

  It was a tasteless joke that offended half the room.

• 3.

  The mansion was huge but decorated in a tasteless way.