Bitterness is a sharp, unpleasant taste, like that of unsweetened coffee or some medicines. It can also mean deep anger and hurt that someone holds onto for a long time.
From “bitter,” from Old English “biter,” meaning “sharp” or “biting,” plus the noun suffix “-ness.” The emotional sense developed from the physical taste, comparing hurt feelings to a harsh flavor.
Your tongue only has a few basic taste types, and bitterness is one of them—often warning of poisons in nature. Emotionally, “bitterness” warns of another kind of poison: pain that sits and slowly changes a person’s attitude.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.