bitter Hear it!

bitter definition

bit·ter (bitər)

adjective

  1. designating or having a sharp, often unpleasant taste; acrid, as quinine or peach stones
  2. causing or showing sorrow, discomfort, or pain; grievous
  3. sharp and disagreeable; harsh; severe; piercing a bitter wind
  4. characterized by strong feelings of hatred, resentment, cynicism, etc.

Etymology: ME < OE biter, akin to bītan, bite

adverb

  1. in a way that is bitter; bitterly
  2. extremely it was bitter cold

noun

  1. a bitter quality or thing take the bitter with the sweet
  2. Brit. bitter, strongly hopped ale

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to make or become bitter

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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