bitch
Bitch (noun) means a female dog. Example: “The breeder kept the bitch and her puppies in a heated kennel.”
How to use bitch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLiterally a female dog, but almost always used today as a strong insult toward a person, or as a verb meaning to complain.
Vulgar/offensive as an insult — avoid in formal or polite contexts; the verb sense ("to bitch about something") is very informal but less harsh.
Word forms
bitched past tense, bitches plural, bitches singular
Etymology
From Middle English biche, bicche, from Old English biċċe, from Proto-West Germanic *bikkjā, from Proto-Germanic *bikjǭ (“female dog”) (compare Norwegian bikkje (“dog, bitch”), Old Danish bikke (“bitch”)), from Proto-Germanic *bikjaną (“to thrust, attack”) (compare Old Norse bikkja (“to plunge into water”), Dutch bikken (“to hack”)). Related to bicker.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for bitch
See all rhymes for bitch →Frequently asked questions
What does “bitch” mean?
The word “bitch” means a female dog. In plain terms, literally a female dog, but almost always used today as a strong insult toward a person, or as a verb meaning to complain.
How do you pronounce “bitch”?
“Bitch” is pronounced bihch (/bɪt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bitch” in a sentence?
Here is “bitch” used in a sentence: “The breeder kept the bitch and her puppies in a heated kennel.”
What is another word for “bitch”?
Words with a similar meaning to “bitch” include jerk, punk and gunsel.
What part of speech is “bitch”?
Depending on how it is used, “bitch” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “bitch” a common word?
“Bitch” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “bitch” have?
“Bitch” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a female dog.
Is 'bitch' a technical term for a female dog?
Yes. In veterinary medicine, dog breeding, and kennel-club registration, bitch is the correct and neutral term for a female dog. A bitch that has had puppies is called a 'dam', the counterpart to the 'sire'. In these settings the word carries no insult — it is simply precise terminology.