bitter

American  

[bit-er] / ˈbɪt ər /

adjective

bitterer, bitterest

1. having a harsh, disagreeably acrid taste, like that of aspirin, quinine, wormwood, or aloes.

   Synonyms:

   distasteful, unpalatable, acrid

2. producing one of the four basic taste sensations; not sour, sweet, or salt.

3. hard to bear; grievous; distressful.

   a bitter sorrow.

   Synonyms:

   painful, poignant

4. causing pain; piercing; stinging.

   a bitter chill.

   Synonyms:

   nipping, biting

5. characterized by intense antagonism or hostility.

   bitter hatred.

   Synonyms:

   relentless, ruthless, cruel, fierce

6. hard to admit or accept.

   a bitter lesson.

7. resentful or cynical.

   bitter words.

   Synonyms:

   scornful, sardonic, biting, caustic, acrimonious

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noun

1. that which is bitter; bitterness.

   Learn to take the bitter with the sweet.

2. British. a very dry ale having a strong taste of hops.

verb (used with object)

1. to make bitter.

   herbs employed to bitter vermouth.

adverb

1. extremely; very; exceedingly.

   a bitter cold night.

bitter British  

/ ˈbɪtə /

adjective

1. having or denoting an unpalatable harsh taste, as the peel of an orange or coffee dregs Compare sour

2. showing or caused by strong unrelenting hostility or resentment

   he was still bitter about the divorce

3. difficult or unpleasant to accept or admit

   a bitter blow

4. cutting; sarcastic

   bitter words

5. bitingly cold

   a bitter night

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adverb

1. very; extremely (esp in the phrase bitter cold )

noun

1. a thing that is bitter

2. beer with a high hop content, with a slightly bitter taste

verb

1. to make or become bitter

bitter Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing bitter

• take the bitter with the sweet

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Other Word Forms

• bitterish adjective
• bitterly adverb
• bitterness noun
• nonbitter adjective
• overbitter adjective
• overbitterly adverb
• unbitter adjective

Etymology

Origin of bitter

First recorded before 1000; Middle English, Old English biter; cognate with German bitter, Old Norse bitr, Gothic baitrs; akin to bite

Example Sentences

Strikingly, “No Other Choice” plays like a melding of his different eras, once again diving into his characters’ rotten souls while flexing sumptuous craft and bitter commentary.

From Los Angeles Times

Why do they wait to queue at the bitter end?

From Los Angeles Times

“The bitter part,” she said, “is the question for my sister and me: Is it worth the time and stress to spend the next five years trying to rebuild?”

From The Wall Street Journal

An eyewitness described "wall-to-wall" blue lights and said conditions were "bitter and freezing".

From BBC

Maybe I was extra sensitive — or extra bitter.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acrimonious
• biting
• caustic
• fierce
• hateful
• intense
• rancorous
• resentful
• severe
• sour
• stinging
• vitriolic