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noun Very common

bitch

bihch
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Bitch (noun) means a female dog. Example: “The vet checked the bitch carefully before her puppies were due to arrive.”

noun
1
A female dog.
"The vet checked the bitch carefully before her puppies were due to arrive."
"At the show, the judge praised the bitch for her calm temperament."
"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.

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Word forms

Plural
bitches
Third person singular
bitches
Past tense
bitched

Etymology

Came into English as Middle English biche or bicche, from Old English biċċe, from Proto-West Germanic *bikkjā, from Proto-Germanic *bikjǭ (“female dog”) — compare Norwegian bikkje (“dog, bitch”) and Old Danish bikke (“bitch”) — from Proto-Germanic *bikjaną (“to thrust, attack”) — compare Old Norse bikkja (“to plunge into water”) and Dutch bikken (“to hack”). It is related to bicker.

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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female dog dam cunt beef gripe squawk kick crab holler backbite grouse bellyache

Related words

mother charge cancer excellent kick cry sing rush

Rhymes for bitch

tch etch itch vetch Dutch catch batch pitch watch witch hutch hatch
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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