organoleptic

adjective

or·​gan·​o·​lep·​tic ˌȯr-gə-nō-ˈlep-tik 

ȯr-ˌga-nə-

1

: being, affecting, or relating to qualities (such as taste, color, odor, and feel) of a substance (such as a food or drug) that stimulate the sense organs

organoleptic research

2

: involving use of the sense organs

organoleptic evaluation of foods

organoleptically

ˌȯr-gə-nō-ˈlep-ti-k(ə-)lē 

ȯr-ˌga-nə-

adverb

Did you know?

English speakers got an early taste of organoleptic in an 1852 translation of a French chemistry textbook. Its spelling is an Anglicization of the French word organoleptique, which derives from organ (same meaning as in English) and Greek lēptikos, meaning "disposed to take or accept." Lēptikos is also an ingredient in neuroleptic (a type of powerful tranquilizer). The parent of lēptikos—the verb lambanein, meaning "to take or seize"—contributed to the formation of several English words, including epilepsy and syllable.

Examples of organoleptic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The startup is not focused on the organoleptic experience (taste, smell, etc.) of its products, though. —Nicole Kagan, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2023

Tulloch recognized Spence’s unique talents, most notably, an organoleptic one — giving her the ability to detect, identify, and differentiate between aromas. —Bee Quammie, refinery29.com, 23 Mar. 2023

If the organoleptic hop transducer module sounds like something that screws into Doc Brown’s flux capacitor, there is an element of looking back in the future of Dogfish Head Miami. —Ben Crandell, sun-sentinel.com, 12 May 2021

According to a 2014 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, the higher antioxidant levels in organic produce might actually enhance its organoleptic qualities — a.k.a. —Jessica Decostole, Redbook, 29 Nov. 2017

Word History

Etymology

French organoleptique, from organ- + Greek lēptikos disposed to take, from lambanein to take — more at latch

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Medical Definition

organoleptic

adjective

or·​gan·​o·​lep·​tic ˌȯr-gə-nō-ˈlep-tik, ȯr-ˌgan-ə- 

1

: being, affecting, or relating to qualities (as taste, color, odor, and feel) of a substance (as a food or drug) that stimulate the sense organs

2

: involving use of the sense organs

organoleptic evaluation of foods

organoleptically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb