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noun Very common

bitch

bihch

Bitch (noun) means a female dog. Example: “The breeder kept the bitch and her puppies in a heated kennel.”

noun
1
A female dog.
"The breeder kept the bitch and her puppies in a heated kennel."
2
A vulgar, offensive term for a woman regarded as unpleasant or aggressive.
"He regretted calling his coworker a bitch in front of everyone."
verb
1
To complain persistently, often in an informal or petty way.
"They spent the whole meeting bitching about the new schedule."

How to use bitch

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLiterally a female dog, but almost always used today as a strong insult toward a person, or as a verb meaning to complain.

When to use it

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

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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.

Origin: Middle English

female dog dam jerk punk gunsel

Related words

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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial · etymology from Wiktionary