bittersweet

[bit-er-sweet, bit-er-sweet, bit-er-sweet]

adjective

1. both bitter and sweet to the taste.

   bittersweet chocolate.

2. both pleasant and painful or regretful.

   a bittersweet memory.

noun

1. Also called woody nightshade. a climbing or trailing plant, Solanum dulcamara, of the nightshade family, having small, violet, star-shaped flowers with a protruding yellow center and scarlet berries.

2. Also called climbing bittersweet. any climbing plant of the genus Celastrus, bearing orange capsules opening to expose red-coated seeds, especially C. scandens.

3. pleasure mingled with pain or regret.

   the bittersweet of parting.

bittersweet

/ ˈbɪtəˌswiːt /

noun

1. any of several North American woody climbing plants of the genus Celastrus , esp C. scandens , having orange capsules that open to expose scarlet-coated seeds: family Celastraceae

2. another name for woody nightshade

adjective

1. tasting of or being a mixture of bitterness and sweetness

2. pleasant but tinged with sadness

Other Word Forms

• bittersweetly adverb
• bittersweetness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bittersweet¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; bitter + sweet

Example Sentences

At the end of October, George Michael’s “Faith” turns 30 — a milestone anniversary that now feels bittersweet, as it comes less than a year after his unexpected death.

From Salon

News that going into filming for Season 5 “knowing it’s the last season is really bittersweet.”

From Los Angeles Times

But the parade was also a bittersweet moment for Robles.

From Los Angeles Times

When bald eagle power couple Jackie and Shadow’s two baby girls flew their Big Bear nest earlier this summer, it was bittersweet.

From Los Angeles Times

One of the victims, Felicity Button, told reporters it was a bittersweet moment, as some victims had lost family members, gone through divorce or become bankrupt.

From BBC

Related Words

• agonizing 
• arduous 
• awful 
• difficult 
• dire 
• distasteful 
• distressing www.thesaurus.com
• excruciating 
• hard 
• harrowing 
• heart-wrenching 
• hurtful 
• severe 
• tedious 
• terrible 
• troublesome 
• uncomfortable 
• unpleasant 

When To Use

What does bittersweet mean?

Bittersweet describes something that tastes both harsh or acrid and sugary, such as a chocolate with less sugar, intended for baking into something sweet, like a cake.Bittersweet also describes something that is both pleasant and regretful, such as graduating from high school. You’re excited about what comes after high school, but you’ll miss seeing your friends everyday. Graduation is a bittersweet moment.Bittersweet is another name for Solanum dulcamara, or woody nightshade, a creeping, vine-like plant that can be poisonous in large quantities.Bittersweet could also refer to any climbing plant of the genus Celastrus.Example: I take just a little sugar in my coffee because I like a bittersweet taste.