Meaning & use
arbiter of taste
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
A person whose opinions about what is stylish, beautiful, or good strongly influence other people's choices.
Grammar: Used as a countable phrase: 'an arbiter of taste', 'the arbiters of taste'.
Patterns
- an arbiter of taste
- the arbiter of taste
- be regarded as an arbiter of taste
The magazine's editor became an unlikely arbiter of taste for young designers.
In the 1990s, that gallery owner was the arbiter of taste for the whole city.
No single critic is an arbiter of taste anymore; social media has changed everything.
phrasefixed phrase
A person or group that sets the accepted standard for what is considered fashionable or culturally valuable.
Grammar: Often used in the plural with 'the': 'the arbiters of taste'.
Patterns
- the arbiters of taste
- serve as an arbiter of taste
For decades, Paris was seen as the arbiter of taste in fashion.
The award committee acts as an arbiter of taste for independent films.
Who are the real arbiters of taste in modern music?
Word forms
| plural | arbiters of taste |
|---|
Common combinations
- become an arbiter of taste
- She quickly became an arbiter of taste among her peers.
- the ultimate arbiter of taste
- The fashion show is considered the ultimate arbiter of taste.
- act as an arbiter of taste
- The critic acted as an arbiter of taste for the new gallery.
- a self-appointed arbiter of taste
- He is a self-appointed arbiter of taste, always telling others what to like.
Synonyms and how they differ
- trendsetter
- A trendsetter creates new fashions, while an arbiter of taste judges and approves them.
- tastemaker
- Tastemaker is slightly more informal and often used in marketing; arbiter of taste sounds more formal and authoritative.
- connoisseur
- A connoisseur has deep knowledge of a subject, but does not necessarily influence what others consider good taste.
Commonly confused: arbiter of taste or arbitrator?
arbiter of taste vs arbitrator
An arbitrator is a person who settles a legal dispute, not someone who judges style.
Practice
The influential critic was widely seen as ______ of taste in the art world.
Choose one answer.
'Arbiter of taste' is the fixed phrase for someone who sets standards of style. 'Referee' and 'umpire' are sports officials, and 'judge' is a legal or competition official, so they do not fit the phrase.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “arbiter of taste”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.