bitterness
gb/bˈɪtɚnəs/ us/bˈɪtɚnəs/
A2
English
~ 4200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
state
1
Strong anger and resentment
A strong and long-lasting feeling of anger or hurt because of something bad that happened.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s bitterness about [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'bitterness' with 'sadness', but 'bitterness' usually includes anger or resentment, not just unhappiness.
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.)
Collocations
deep bitterness
|feel bitterness
|bitterness toward
|grow in bitterness
|bitterness and resentment
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|conflict
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She still feels great bitterness toward her former boss.
- His bitterness over the divorce lasted for years.
- 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.
- There is bitterness between the two families.
- Her bitterness grew after she lost her job.
- Bitterness can hurt your heart.
Noun
A2
property
2
Sharp unpleasant taste
A strong taste that is not sweet, like black coffee or dark chocolate.
Usage pattern:
the bitterness of [food/drink]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'bitterness' with 'sourness', but sourness is acidic like lemon, while bitterness is more sharp and dry like black coffee.
Synonyms
acridity (A more formal or technical term for a sharp, sometimes irritating taste.)
Antonyms
sweetness (The opposite taste sensation to bitterness.)
Collocations
slight bitterness
|bitter taste
|reduce bitterness
|bitterness of coffee
|bitterness in beer
Themes
food
|taste
|food_drink
|body
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The dark chocolate has a pleasant bitterness.
- She added sugar to soften the coffee's bitterness.
- Some people enjoy the bitterness of IPA beers.
- Cooking can reduce the vegetable's natural bitterness.
Learner examples
- I like the bitterness of tea.
- Sugar can hide the bitterness in coffee.
- The soup had a little bitterness.
- He enjoys the bitterness in beer.
Noun
B2
property
3
Harsh or unpleasant quality
The harsh or unpleasant quality of something, such as weather or speech.
Usage pattern:
the bitterness of [something unpleasant]
Common mistake:
Learners might confuse this with emotional bitterness; this sense can be about weather or tone, not just feelings toward someone.
Synonyms
harshness (General severity or unpleasantness.)
|
acerbity (Formal term for sharpness in tone or manner.)
Antonyms
gentleness (Soft and kind quality instead of harshness.)
Collocations
bitterness of winter
|bitterness in his tone
|bitterness of defeat
Themes
weather
|communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The bitterness of winter kept them indoors.
- There was a bitterness in his tone that surprised her.
- They endured the bitterness of defeat with quiet dignity.
Learner examples
- The bitterness of winter was hard to bear.
- I heard the bitterness in his voice.
- The team felt the bitterness of losing.
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.