bitterness
- 01 B1 Intermediate
a sharp and sometimes unpleasant taste, like that of coffee without sugar or lemon peel.
the quality of having an acrid or sharp taste, often associated with alkaloids or certain plant compounds.
Simple“The bitterness of the dark chocolate was too strong for the young child.”
In context“The chef added a touch of honey to the sauce to balance the natural bitterness of the roasted radicchio.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a feeling of anger and unhappiness because you think you have been treated unfairly.
a state of deep-seated resentment, acrimony, or cynicism resulting from perceived injustice or disappointment.
Simple“He felt a lot of bitterness after he lost his job for no reason.”
In context“Years of legal disputes had left both siblings with a sense of bitterness that made reconciliation almost impossible.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
a way to describe very cold and painful weather.
the quality of being intensely or painfully cold; environmental harshness.
Simple“The bitterness of the winter wind made it hard to stay outside.”
In context“The explorers were unprepared for the sheer bitterness of the Arctic night, which froze their supplies within hours.”
From Middle English bitternesse, biternesse, from Old English biternes (“bitterness; grief”), equivalent to bitter + -ness.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.