bitterness
gb/bˈɪtɚnəs/ us/bˈɪtɚnəs/
A2
English
~ 4200
keserűség, neheztelés, keserű, kesernyésség, keménység, zordság, élesség
NOUN
B2
1
keserűség
B2
neheztelés
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s bitterness about [something]
She still feels great bitterness toward her former boss.
Még mindig nagy keserűséget érez volt főnöke iránt.
His bitterness over the divorce lasted for years.
A válása miatti keserűsége évekig tartott.
The team's bitterness at losing was clear to everyone.
Bitterness filled his voice when he spoke about the past.
Learner examples
He feels bitterness toward his old friend.
Keserűséget érez régi barátja iránt.
There is bitterness between the two families.
Keserűség van a két család között.
Her bitterness grew after she lost her job.
Bitterness can hurt your heart.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'bitterness' with 'sadness', but 'bitterness' usually includes anger or resentment, not just unhappiness.
Meaning
Strong anger and resentment
Collocations
deep bitterness
|feel bitterness
|bitterness toward
|grow in bitterness
|bitterness and resentment
Synonyms
resentment (Focuses more on the sense of unfairness rather than emotional sharpness.)
|
grudge (Implies holding onto anger over time, often toward a specific person.)
Antonyms
forgiveness (Letting go of anger or resentment toward someone.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|conflict
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A strong and long-lasting feeling of anger or hurt because of something bad that happened.
A strong, lasting feeling of anger, resentment, or hostility, often due to being treated unfairly.
NOUN
A2
2
Usage pattern:
the bitterness of [food/drink]
The dark chocolate has a pleasant bitterness.
Az étcsokoládénak kellemes kesernyéssége van.
She added sugar to soften the coffee's bitterness.
Cukrot tett bele, hogy tompítsa a kávé keserűségét.
Some people enjoy the bitterness of IPA beers.
Cooking can reduce the vegetable's natural bitterness.
Learner examples
I like the bitterness of tea.
Szeretem a tea keserűségét.
Sugar can hide the bitterness in coffee.
A cukor el tudja fedni a kávé keserűségét.
The soup had a little bitterness.
He enjoys the bitterness in beer.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'bitterness' with 'sourness', but sourness is acidic like lemon, while bitterness is more sharp and dry like black coffee.
Meaning
Sharp unpleasant taste
Collocations
slight bitterness
|bitter taste
|reduce bitterness
|bitterness of coffee
|bitterness in beer
Synonyms
acridity (A more formal or technical term for a sharp, sometimes irritating taste.)
Antonyms
sweetness (The opposite taste sensation to bitterness.)
Themes
food
|taste
|food_drink
|body
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A strong taste that is not sweet, like black coffee or dark chocolate.
A sharp, often unpleasant taste sensation found in foods like coffee, dark chocolate, or some vegetables.
NOUN
B2
3
Usage pattern:
the bitterness of [something unpleasant]
The bitterness of winter kept them indoors.
A tél zordsága bent tartotta őket.
There was a bitterness in his tone that surprised her.
Volt valami élesség a hangnemében, ami meglepte őt.
They endured the bitterness of defeat with quiet dignity.
Learner examples
The bitterness of winter was hard to bear.
Nehéz volt elviselni a tél zordságát.
I heard the bitterness in his voice.
Élességet hallottam a hangjában.
The team felt the bitterness of losing.
Common mistake:
Learners might confuse this with emotional bitterness; this sense can be about weather or tone, not just feelings toward someone.
Meaning
Harsh or unpleasant quality
Collocations
bitterness of winter
|bitterness in his tone
|bitterness of defeat
Synonyms
harshness (General severity or unpleasantness.)
|
acerbity (Formal term for sharpness in tone or manner.)
Antonyms
gentleness (Soft and kind quality instead of harshness.)
Themes
weather
|communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The harsh or unpleasant quality of something, such as weather or speech.
The quality of being harsh, severe, or unpleasant in tone, manner, or conditions.
Grammar
Dictionary form
bitterness
IPA
GB/bˈɪtɚnəs/
US/bˈɪtɚnəs/
Syllables & stress
bit - ter - ness (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (bit)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: bitterness
- Plural: bitterness
Word family
Expressions
leave a bitter taste in someone's mouth
1/lˈiv ə bˈɪtɚ tˈeɪst ˈɪn sˈʌmwˌʌnz mˈaʊθ/
idiom
Cause lasting negative feelings
To make someone feel upset or unhappy about an experience for a long time.
Examples
- The unfair decision left a bitter taste in her mouth.
- Losing the contract left a bitter taste in their mouths.
sweetness and bitterness
1/swˈitnəs ˈænd bˈɪtɚnəs/
fixed phrase
Mix of good and bad aspects
Having both nice and unpleasant parts at the same time.
Examples
- Life is full of sweetness and bitterness.
- Their relationship had its sweetness and bitterness.
taste of bitterness
1/tˈeɪst əv bˈɪtɚnəs/
fixed phrase
Experience of unpleasantness or resentment
A feeling or taste that is unpleasant, either in food or emotions.
Examples
- She knew the taste of bitterness after her loss.
- The medicine left a taste of bitterness in his mouth.