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

After initially holding their own against Barcelona, Newcastle capitulated at the Nou Camp this month - suffering a 7-2 defeat - before losing 2-1 against bitter rivals Sunderland a few days later.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

While potassium salt has a similar flavor, it can develop a slightly bitter taste when heated.

From Science Daily • Mar. 31, 2026

Ordained a priest in 2002, she became the first female Bishop of London in 2018, only four years after the church began allowing women bishops after years of bitter factional wrangling.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

“This will be a bitter pill to swallow,” SGH Macro’s Duy said.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

I run down Tatarska Street in the bitter wind, and my eyes are roaming, roaming.

From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron

Related Words

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