bitter

[ bit-er ]

adjective

, bit·ter·er, bit·ter·est.

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

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

/ ˈbɪtə /

adjective

1. See sour
   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

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

Derived Forms

• ˈbitterness, noun
• ˈbitterly, adverb

Other Words From

• bit·ter·ish adjective
• bit·ter·ly adverb
• bit·ter·ness noun
• non·bit·ter adjective
• o·ver·bit·ter adjective
• over·bit·ter·ly adverb
• un·bit·ter adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bitter¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of bitter¹

Old English biter ; related to bītan to bite

Idioms and Phrases

• take the bitter with the sweet

Example Sentences

Changes since that sluggish start have sent the state zooming up the national listings, statistically, but also have caused bitter fighting about which counties and regions should get doses first.

From Washington Post

These slightly bitter, slightly sweet spritzes have no alcohol but offer the same satisfying feeling of drinking a balanced cocktail.

From Eater

This film delves into the fascinating world of competitive arcade gaming, following two men engaged in a bitter battle for the title of Donkey Kong record holder.

From Outside Online

I’ve used them on bitter powder days, when friends had to head inside to warm up, and they live in my backcountry ski pack in case something goes wrong.

From Outside Online

Then there’s Ghia, a Mediterranean-style aperitif that builds on a base of riesling grape juice with heady botanicals like bitter gentian root and bright yuzu.

From Popular-Science

Weeks retained an unparalleled legal team, which included bitter political rivals Hamilton and Burr.

From The Daily Beast

For Randy, a 50-year-old ex-Mormon gay man, this cure was a particularly bitter pill to swallow.

From The Daily Beast

This is a time for many bitter tears and, one can only hope, a better future.

From The Daily Beast

There was a collective gasp at both the four-letter word and the bitter sentiment it carried.

From The Daily Beast

By halftime a crowd of what appeared to be a few hundred people had amassed in the bitter cold.

From The Daily Beast

As Felipe talked with him, he perceived even more clearly how bitter and unjust his mother had been to Alessandro.

From Project Gutenberg

O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that hath peace in his possessions!

From Project Gutenberg

She suddenly sank back upon the pillow and gave up to bitter anguish, when she recalled what had followed.

From Project Gutenberg

Gordon gave a bitter laugh and went on, with the same strange, serious air of explaining his plan.

From Project Gutenberg

If he had only been himself I should have had nothing more to desire, but he was in one of his bitter, sarcastic moods.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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