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

I chugged cups of instant black coffee like water, not paying much heed to the bitter, pungent aftertaste that lingered on my tongue and scorched my throat.

Read more on Salon

This vignette, despite the mishap, ends more happily than the others, but the evening still leaves a sour aftertaste.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The first episode "left a slightly sour taste in the mouth", she added - a sentiment echoed by the Independent's Nick Hilton, who wrote that the series is "tinged with a strange, bitter aftertaste".

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MPs did their best to show the problem was now solved, but this crisis has left behind an unpleasant aftertaste.

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But if “Not Alone Anymore” can sometimes lean too heavily on uplifting sentiment, Matlin’s story possesses a bittersweet aftertaste.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aftereffect 
• reaction