tartness

/ˈtɑːtnəs/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɑrtnəs] /ˈtɑːrtnəs/ (ame, ipa)

tartness — 名詞

1. The quality of having an acidic flavour that is sharp and cleansing on the tongu

1.名詞B2
釋義

酸味

食物帶有的酸味

The quality of having an acidic flavour that is sharp and cleansing on the tongue, like that of citrus or green apples.

例句

The lemon sorbet had just enough tartness to wake up the taste buds.

這個檸檬雪酪的酸味剛剛好，足以喚醒味蕾。

uncountable noun describing degree: amount of tartness

Camille added sugar to reduce the tartness of the green apples in the pie.

Camille 加了糖來減少派裡青蘋果的酸味。

tartness + of + noun phrase (food ingredient)

同義詞
  • sourness

    more general term; can describe unpleasant sourness (e.g. spoiled milk), while tartness often implies a pleasant sharpness

  • acidity

    more clinical or chemical term, commonly used for wine or citrus; less everyday than tartness

  • sharpness

    broader sensory term that can also refer to spicy or pungent sensations, not just sour taste

反義詞
  • sweetness

    the opposite taste sensation; sweeteners are added to balance tartness

文法句型

tartness + of + noun phrase

用法筆記

This sense is used almost exclusively for food, drink, and fruit. 'Tartness' is milder than 'sourness' and often implies a pleasant or intentional sharpness.

常見錯誤

❌I don't like the tartness of this coffee.
✅I don't like the bitterness of this coffee.
💡Coffee has bitterness, not tartness; tartness describes sour/acidic taste.

2. The quality of speaking or writing in a quick, direct way that seems slightly un

2.名詞C1
釋義

尖刻

言語直接而略帶刻薄的特性

The quality of speaking or writing in a quick, direct way that seems slightly unkind or critical.

例句

Elena's reply contained a hint of tartness when she was asked about her ex-boss.

Elena 被問到她的前老闆時，她的回答帶著一絲尖刻。

tartness + in + noun phrase (reply, remark)

Yumi's tartness toward the intern surprised everyone who knew her as a patient teacher.

Yumi 對實習生的尖刻態度讓所有認識她的人感到意外，因為她一向是個有耐心的老師。

tartness + toward + person (target of sharp speech)

同義詞
  • sharpness

    very similar in meaning, but 'sharpness' can also describe wit or intelligence; 'tartness' carries more of a subtly unkind tone

  • harshness

    stronger and more negative; harshness suggests cruelty or severity, while tartness is milder

  • acrimony

    much stronger and more formal; describes bitter, angry speech in lasting conflicts

反義詞
  • gentleness

    kind and soft manner of speaking, opposite of sharpness

  • warmth

    friendly and kind tone, contrasted with the cool edge of tartness

文法句型

tartness + in + noun phrase

tartness + of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Describes someone's manner of speaking or writing only — not their appearance, actions, or personality as a whole. Distinguish from sense 1 (literal taste) by context: this sense attaches to voice, reply, remark, tone, or comment.

常見錯誤

❌Her tartness made her trip and fall.
✅The tartness of her remark made everyone uncomfortable.
💡Tartness describes sharp speech, not clumsiness or physical sharpness.
❌He is a tartness person.
✅He replied with tartness when challenged.
💡Tartness is a noun, not an adjective; use 'tart' as the adjective form.