English Lexicon

Bitterness

/ˈbɪt.ər.nəs/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The quality of having a sharp, pungent taste or smell; often associated with unpleasantness.

    "The bitterness of the coffee was overwhelming without any sugar."
  2. 2

    A feeling of deep anger or resentment.

    "Her bitterness towards her former employer was evident in her comments."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The word 'bitterness' originates from the Old English 'bitter', which is derived from the Proto-Germanic '*bitra' and ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root '*bheid-', meaning 'to pierce or sting'. Over time, its meaning evolved to encompass both the taste sensation and emotional states associated with resentment or sorrow.

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