noun
bitterness
BIH-tuh-nuhs
noun
1
A sharp, unpleasant taste, the opposite of sweetness.
"The bitterness of the coffee surprised her after the sugar ran out."
"Too much bitterness in the sauce ruined the dish."
2
A lasting feeling of resentment or anger, often from being treated unfairly.
"Years after the divorce, there was still bitterness between them."
"He spoke about the layoff with obvious bitterness."
How to Use Bitterness
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a sharp taste or a sharp, lingering feeling of resentment.
Common pairings
a sense of bitterness
bitterness toward someone
the bitterness of defeat
Word Forms
bitternesses plural
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The _____ of the coffee surprised her after the sugar ran out.
Etymology
From Old English biternes, built from bitter plus the noun-forming suffix -ness.