When you have two words that appear to be quite similar, you may be inclined to think that they are interchangeable. However, they could have entirely different meanings, like what we saw with uninterested and disinterested. While they may have started with the same root word, tasty and tasteful can actually have remarkably different uses.
Tasty is most commonly used in the context of food. It refers to something that has a pleasant flavour. It is delicious and appetizing. Because it’s not very specific in indicating why a certain food item is appealing, “tasty” can be used for everything from a sour apple martini to a ribeye steak.
Get the mussels at Chambar Restaurant. They’re really tasty!
This is one tasty sandwich!
Tasteful, on the other hand, is more commonly used in the context of aesthetics and class. It has more to do with showing good taste, which usually indicates a certain level of restraint. Something is generally not “tastefully” done if it is too bold, too eccentric, or too outside the norm.
The Roman-inspired interior design of this home is very tasteful.
Perhaps this dress would be a little more tasteful for the gala?
If you were to look up tasty and tasteful in a thesaurus, it’s quite possible that they would show up as synonyms. While this may be strictly true, not all synonyms in a thesaurus are completely interchangeable and a lot of this has to do with connotation. Words carry meaning and connections beyond themselves, which is why good word choice is so important.
Be tasteful about your word choice, not tasty.
I was trying to come up with something cute to say about these two words, but gave up. Then I reread the post and your last sentence gave me this:
If you have to eat your words, then you can be both tasteful and make the words tasty as you eat them. 🙂
How can an admission of one’s mistake be done tastefully with “tasty” words?
Tabasco sauce or maybe some honey.
It’s funny how taste branched out into a measurement of perception. I wonder if any other language has as many words with more than one meaning as English.
-Jean