Word
aftertaste
Phoneticsaf·ter·taste, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈæftɝˌteɪst/
UK/ˈɑːftətˌeɪst/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a flavor that stays in your mouth after you have finished eating or drinking something.
n. a lingering gustatory sensation that persists after a substance has been swallowed or removed from the mouth. Often used metaphorically to describe a lasting emotional impression following an event.
Examples
“The cheap wine left a bitter aftertaste in my mouth.”
“While the meal was delicious, the heavy use of garlic left a strong aftertaste that lasted for hours.”
“The sudden cancellation of the contract left a sour aftertaste, overshadowing the successful collaboration the two companies had enjoyed for nearly a decade.”
Examples
simple
“The cheap wine left a bitter aftertaste in my mouth.”
contextual
“While the meal was delicious, the heavy use of garlic left a strong aftertaste that lasted for hours.”
complex
“The sudden cancellation of the contract left a sour aftertaste, overshadowing the successful collaboration the two companies had enjoyed for nearly a decade.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “aftertaste” in context.
Verb
01. aftertaste lingers
“The sharp aftertaste lingers on the tongue long after you finish the meal.”
noun + verb
02. aftertaste remains
“Even after brushing my teeth, the sour aftertaste remains.”
noun + verb
03. leave aftertaste
“The artificial sweetener tends to leave a chemical aftertaste in the mouth.”
verb + noun
04. remove aftertaste
“Drinking a glass of water can help remove the aftertaste of the coffee.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. bitter aftertaste
“The medicine left a bitter aftertaste that lasted for several minutes.”
adj + noun
06. lingering aftertaste
“The spicy food left a lingering aftertaste of garlic and chili.”
adj + noun
07. metallic aftertaste
“Some patients report a strange metallic aftertaste when taking these supplements.”
adj + noun
08. pleasant aftertaste
“This particular vintage of wine has a surprisingly pleasant aftertaste.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. hint of aftertaste
“There was just a slight hint of aftertaste that suggested the milk was turning.”
noun + prep + noun
10. leave a nasty aftertaste
“The way the company treated its employees left a nasty aftertaste.”
11. leave a sour aftertaste
“The argument at the end of the party left a sour aftertaste for everyone.”
Usage
Commonly modified by adjectives like 'bitter', 'sweet', 'sour', or 'pleasant'.
Real-World Examples
“Although its bouquet was negligible, its distinct metallic aftertaste evoked memories of tin cans one had licked experimentally in the first flush of childhood's curiosity.” “The aftertaste fades with haunting slowness, releasing as it retreats a seemingly indelible last emanation of flavor.” “Its flavours include grass and herbs with a tangy aftertaste.” “It’s powerful," he says of the wine, “but it also has a meltingly sweet taste, with an acidic aftertaste that catches you by surprise.” Etymology
From after- + taste, first recorded in 1671 as a compound for the sensation remaining in the mouth once a substance has been swallowed.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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