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bittersweet Definition

bitter·sweet (bit′ər swēt′)

noun

  1. ☆ a North American twining woody vine (Celastrus scandens) of the staff-tree family, with poisonous leaves, and bearing clusters of small orange fruits with bright-red fleshy seeds
  2. a poisonous, climbing European vine (Solanum dulcamara) of the nightshade family, with purple flowers and red berries, now widely found as a weed in North America
    1. bitterness and sweetness combined
    2. pleasure mixed with overtones of sadness

adjective

  1. both bitter and sweet, as dark chocolate made with little sugar
  2. pleasant with overtones of sadness

bittersweet Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • comedy: The bittersweet comedy allows moments of violence which underline the threat that comes with trying to outrun doom.
  • tale: A bittersweet tale of a young girl trapped by the flaws in her character.
  • chocolate: Blue Java coffee has hints of smoky bittersweet chocolate.
  • lyric: Short, sharp songs littered with riffs and bittersweet lyrics created the buzz which has continued to get stronger and stronger.
  • song: Simon continues on his bittersweet love song to the World.
  • taste: The contrasting bittersweet taste of love and death, the silence and cries of love.

Modifying Another Word

  • ultimately: As they fall in love, she begins to outgrow him emotionally, resulting in a hysterical yet ultimately bittersweet romantic comedy.
  • rather: Miami occupies a special, and rather bittersweet place, in the heart of the designer.

Used with adjective complement

  • write: Emotional and uplifting, without ever indulging in trite sentimentality, Tim Pare writes bittersweet, confessional love songs.