aftertaste

[ af-ter-teyst, ahf- ]

noun

1. a taste remaining after the substance causing it is no longer in the mouth.
2. the remaining sensation following an unpleasant experience, incident, etc.:

   the aftertaste of a bad marriage.

aftertaste

/ ˈɑːftəˌteɪst /

noun

1. a taste that lingers on after eating or drinking
2. a lingering impression or sensation

Word History and Origins

Origin of aftertaste¹

First recorded in 1820–30; after + taste

Example Sentences

She said the stench was so bad it felt "stuck in the back of my throat like a bad aftertaste".

From BBC

Their honey, which is runny enough to be drunk like a liquid and is said to have a citrusy aftertaste, is used by many Indigenous Peruvians as a natural medicine.

From New York Times

The aftertaste of Colt 45, a malt liquor that was as dangerous as it was popular, crumpled my face to match the bag that concealed the can.

From Salon

Nirmatrelvir seemed to hone in on TAS2R1, one of the primary receptors responsible for the bitter aftertaste of antiviral medicines, the researchers found.

From Science Magazine

Even a heavy dose of Tamika’s hot sauce wouldn’t be able to bury the bitter aftertaste.

From Literature

Related Words

• aftereffect
• reaction