bitter
BIHT-uh
Bitter (adj) means having a sharp, unpleasant taste, the opposite of sweet. Example: “Dark chocolate with very little sugar tastes bitter to some children.”
adj
1
Having a sharp, unpleasant taste, the opposite of sweet.
"Dark chocolate with very little sugar tastes bitter to some children."
"The medicine had a bitter taste, so she drank water afterwards."
"The coffee was too bitter without sugar."
2
Feeling or showing resentment, anger, or lingering hurt.
"They had a bitter argument and have not spoken since."
"She still feels bitter about losing the promotion."
"His voice had a bitter edge to it."
noun
1
A British beer style with a pronounced hoppy flavor.
"The landlord recommended a local bitter brewed just down the road."
"My uncle prefers a quiet pint of bitter to lager."
"He ordered a pint of bitter at the pub."
How to use bitter
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sharp, harsh taste, or (of a person) feeling resentful and hurt.
UK vs US
"A bitter" as a noun for a type of beer is chiefly British.
Common pairings
bitter taste
bitter rivalry
bitter cold
to the bitter end
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Word forms
- Plural
- bitters
- Third person singular
- bitters
- Past tense
- bittered
- Comparative
- more bitter, bitterer
- Superlative
- most bitter, bitterest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Dark chocolate with very little sugar tastes _____ to some children.
Etymology
From Old English biter, related to the verb "bite" — something bitter was originally thought of as tasting sharp enough to "bite" the tongue.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for bitter
See all rhymes for bitter →Frequently asked questions
What does “bitter” mean?
The word “bitter” means having a sharp, unpleasant taste, the opposite of sweet. In plain terms, a sharp, harsh taste, or (of a person) feeling resentful and hurt.
How do you pronounce “bitter”?
“Bitter” is pronounced BIHT-uh (/ˈbɪ.tɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bitter” in a sentence?
Here is “bitter” used in a sentence: “The coffee was too bitter without sugar.”
What is another word for “bitter”?
Words with a similar meaning to “bitter” include acrid, caustic, acerb, acerbic, bittersome and sharp.
What is the opposite of “bitter”?
The opposite of “bitter” — its antonyms — are optimistic and sweet.
What part of speech is “bitter”?
Depending on how it is used, “bitter” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “bitter” come from?
The word “bitter” comes from Old English. From Old English biter, related to the verb "bite" — something bitter was originally thought of as tasting sharp enough to "bite" the tongue.
Is “bitter” a common word?
“Bitter” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'bitter' and 'sour'?
'Bitter' describes a sharp, often harsh taste like that of black coffee or dark chocolate, while 'sour' describes the acidic tang of foods like lemons or vinegar. They are two distinct basic tastes, even though both are sometimes loosely called 'sharp.'
What is the difference between being 'bitter' and being 'angry'?
Anger is usually an immediate, active emotion, whereas bitterness is a lingering resentment that builds up over time from hurt or disappointment. Someone described as 'bitter' tends to hold on to negative feelings long after the event that caused them.
What is 'a bitter' in British English?
In British English, 'a bitter' is a type of pale ale with a hoppy, moderately bitter flavour, commonly ordered in pubs. Used this way, 'bitter' is a countable noun for the drink rather than an adjective describing taste.
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