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

In 2023 it brokered a deal between bitter rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, which lave long stood on opposing sides in proxy wars in the Middle East.

From BBC

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

From Science Daily

It's been a bitter 10-week showdown, which revealed just how angry Prince Harry still is with the press.

From BBC

The bitter taste of irritation floods my mouth.

From Literature

“It was the strangest thing…,” he said, lying in the mossy garden, watching the leaves tickle the bitter blue sky.

From Literature

Related Words

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