Dictionary Home »
Dictionary Definitions » bitter
bitter
The definition of bitter is having a harsh and disagreeable taste or something that is hard to bear.
(adjective)- An example of bitter is the taste of an aspirin.
- An example of bitter is very cold weather.
Bitter is defined as the quality of being harsh.
(noun)An example of bitter is weather with cold, wet wind.
YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.
See bitter in Webster's New World College Dictionary
adjective
- designating or having a sharp, often unpleasant taste; acrid, as quinine or peach stones
- causing or showing sorrow, discomfort, or pain; grievous
- sharp and disagreeable; harsh; severe; piercing: a bitter wind
- characterized by strong feelings of hatred, resentment, cynicism, etc.
Origin: ME < OE biter, akin to bītan, bite
adverb
- in a way that is bitter; bitterly
- extremely: it was bitter cold
noun
- a bitter quality or thing: take the bitter with the sweet
- Brit. bitter, strongly hopped ale
transitive verb, intransitive verb
to make or become bitter
Related Forms:
- bitterly adverb
- bitterness noun
See bitter in American Heritage Dictionary 4
adjective bit·ter·er, bit·ter·est
- Having or being a taste that is sharp, acrid, and unpleasant.
- Causing a sharply unpleasant, painful, or stinging sensation; harsh: enveloped in bitter cold; a bitter wind.
- Difficult or distasteful to accept, admit, or bear: the bitter truth; bitter sorrow.
- Proceeding from or exhibiting strong animosity: a bitter struggle; bitter foes.
- Resulting from or expressive of severe grief, anguish, or disappointment: cried bitter tears.
- Marked by resentment or cynicism: “He was already a bitter elderly man with a gray face” (John Dos Passos).
In an intense or harsh way; bitterly: a bitter cold night.
transitive verb bit·tered, bit·ter·ing, bit·ters To make bitter.
noun- That which is bitter: “all words . . . /Failing to give the bitter of the sweet” (Tennyson).
- bitters A bitter, usually alcoholic liquid made with herbs or roots and used in cocktails or as a tonic.
- Chiefly British A sharp-tasting beer made with hops.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English
Origin: , from Old English; see bheid- in Indo-European roots
.Related Forms:
- bitˈter·ly adverb
- bitˈter·ness noun
Learn more about bitter
