bitterness
/ˈbɪtənəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbɪtərnəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbi-tər-nəs/ (ame, mw)
bitterness — noun
1. the sharp, dry flavour you notice in things like black coffee, dark chocolate, o
the sharp, dry flavour you notice in things like black coffee, dark chocolate, or some medicines.
A light bitterness lingered after the first sip of tonic water.
bitterness after + first sip
The cook added honey to cut the bitterness of the kale soup.
the bitterness of + food
Even with milk, the tea kept a dry bitterness at the end.
After one spoon of cough medicine, Eva still noticed its bitterness.
Roasted orange peel gave the sauce a pleasant bitterness.
- sweetness
the direct opposite in taste
文法句型
bitterness in + food/drink
the bitterness of + food/drink
用法筆記
Usually uncountable and often used with 'of' when naming the food or drink: the bitterness of coffee, the bitterness of dark chocolate.
常見錯誤
2. long-lasting anger and hurt that stay after unfair treatment.
long-lasting anger and hurt that stay after unfair treatment.
Years of court battles left bitterness between the two brothers.
bitterness between + people
Mina spoke with bitterness after losing the shop her parents built.
with bitterness after + loss
At the reunion, old bitterness still showed in Daniel's voice.
The failed lawsuit filled Aunt Rosa with bitterness toward the company.
Bitterness over the will kept the cousins apart for years.
- resentment
very close in meaning and common in everyday English
- rancor
more formal and stronger, with a colder sense of hostility
- ill feeling
milder; often used for bad feeling between two sides
- goodwill
a friendly and generous feeling toward others
- forgiveness
the decision to let go of hurt instead of holding onto it
文法句型
bitterness toward + person/group
bitterness over + event
bitterness between + people
用法筆記
Common with 'over', 'toward', or 'between'. It usually describes a feeling that lasts after unfair treatment, betrayal, or a painful loss, not a small irritation that quickly passes.