bitters

[ bit-erz ]

/ ˈbɪt ərz /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR bitters ON THESAURUS.COM

noun (used with a plural verb)

a liquid, often an alcoholic liquor, in which bitter herbs or roots have steeped, used as a flavoring, especially in mixed drinks, or as a tonic.

Pharmacology.

a liquid, usually alcoholic, impregnated with a bitter medicine, as gentian or quassia, used to increase the appetite or as a tonic.
bitter medicinal substances in general, as quinine.

Nearby words

bittern, bitternut, bitterroot, bitterroot range, bitterroot river, bitters, bittersweet, bitterweed, bitterwood, bitterwort, bitting

Origin of bitters

First recorded in 1705–15; bitter + -s³

Definition for bitters (2 of 2)

bitter

[ bit-er ]

/ ˈbɪt ər /

adjective, bit·ter·er, bit·ter·est.

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

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

hard to bear; grievous; distressful: a bitter sorrow.

causing pain; piercing; stinging: a bitter chill.

characterized by intense antagonism or hostility: bitter hatred.

hard to admit or accept: a bitter lesson.

resentful or cynical: bitter words.

noun

that which is bitter; bitterness: Learn to take the bitter with the sweet.

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

verb (used with object)

to make bitter: herbs employed to bitter vermouth.

adverb

extremely; very; exceedingly: a bitter cold night.

Origin of bitter

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

SYNONYMS FOR bitter

1 acrid, biting, distasteful.

3 distressing, poignant, painful.

4 biting, nipping.

5 fierce, cruel, ruthless, relentless.

7 acrimonious, caustic, sardonic, scornful.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR bitter ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

bit·ter·ish, adjectivebit·ter·ly, adverbbit·ter·ness, nounnon·bit·ter, adjective

o·ver·bit·ter, adjectiveo·ver·bit·ter·ly, adverbo·ver·bit·ter·ness, nounun·bit·ter, adjective

Can be confused

bidder bitter

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for bitters

He dashes in a few drops of bitters, and then gently crushes the sugar with a muddler.
The Rise and Fall…and Rise Again of the Old-Fashioned|Allison McNearney|June 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Within its 1806 embodiment of the cocktail incarnate—spirit, sweetner, bitters, water—there is traditionalism,” Simonson writes.
The Rise and Fall…and Rise Again of the Old-Fashioned|Allison McNearney|June 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"Almost all of the bitters, whiskeys, or absinthes you see in Buenos Aires are illegal," he says.
The Absinthe-Minded Porteños of Buenos Aires|Jeff Campagna|March 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He makes me a 20's Sazerac with Jack Daniels, Peychaud's Bitters, simple syrup, and local Tigre de la Ira absinthe.
The Secret Speakeasies of Buenos Aires|Jeff Campagna|February 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Top with bitters and liquid smoke and garnish with a flamed lemon zest.
Lights, Camera, Cocktails|Brody Brown|September 2, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Bitters, “medicinal wines” and such liquors have no virtues worth speaking of.
Lights and Shadows of New York Life|James D. McCabe
He rode along the village street, his mind's ear ringing with Byle's parting advice: "Don't forget the bitters."
A Dream of Empire|William Henry Venable
In the good old days its root was an important part of spring bitters.
In Pastures Green|Peter McArthur
The former are simply appetizers, usually of the bitters class, and are taken before meals.
A Midsummer Drive Through The Pyrenees|Edwin Asa Dix
It has recently been highly recommended in dyspepsia, combined with other bitters or aperients.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II|Arnold Cooley

British Dictionary definitions for bitters (1 of 2)

bitters

/ (ˈbɪtəz) /

pl n

bitter-tasting spirits of varying alcoholic content flavoured with plant extracts

a similar liquid containing a bitter-tasting substance, used as a tonic to stimulate the appetite or improve digestion

British Dictionary definitions for bitters (2 of 2)

bitter

/ (ˈbɪtə) /

adjective

having or denoting an unpalatable harsh taste, as the peel of an orange or coffee dregsCompare sour (def. 1)

showing or caused by strong unrelenting hostility or resentmenthe was still bitter about the divorce

difficult or unpleasant to accept or admita bitter blow

cutting; sarcasticbitter words

bitingly colda bitter night

adverb

very; extremely (esp in the phrase bitter cold)

noun

a thing that is bitter

British beer with a high hop content, with a slightly bitter taste

verb

to make or become bitter

Derived Forms

bitterly, adverbbitterness, noun

Word Origin for bitter

Old English biter; related to bītan to bite

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with bitters

bitter

In addition to the idioms beginning with bitter

bitter end
bitter pill to swallow

also see:

take the bitter with the sweet

bitters

noun (used with a plural verb)

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of bitters

Definition for bitters (2 of 2)

bitter

adjective, bit·ter·er, bit·ter·est.

noun

verb (used with object)

adverb

Origin of bitter

SYNONYMS FOR bitter

Related forms

Can be confused

Examples from the Web for bitters

British Dictionary definitions for bitters (1 of 2)

bitters

pl n

British Dictionary definitions for bitters (2 of 2)

bitter

adjective

adverb

noun

verb

Derived Forms

Word Origin for bitter

Idioms and Phrases with bitters

bitter