ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bitterness

n. uncountable
B1 Intermediate US //ˈbɪtɝnəs// UK //bˈɪtənəs// bit·ter·ness

n. the strong, sharp taste of something like coffee or dark chocolate. It can also mean a feeling of anger or resentment toward someone.

n. the quality of having a sharp, pungent taste; a state of resentment or ill will toward another person.


SIMPLE

I do not like the bitterness of black coffee.

CONTEXTUAL

She tried to hide the bitterness in her voice when he mentioned his new job.

COMPLEX

The bitterness of the defeat lingered in the team's locker room long after the final whistle had blown.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English bitternesse, biternesse, from Old English biternes (“bitterness; grief”), equivalent to bitter + -ness.

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