adj

bitter

BIHT-uh

adj

Having a sharp, unpleasant taste, the opposite of sweet.

"The coffee was too bitter without sugar."

Feeling or showing resentment, anger, or lingering hurt.

"She still feels bitter about losing the promotion."

"His voice had a bitter edge to it."

noun

A British beer style with a pronounced hoppy flavor.

"He ordered a pint of bitter at the pub."

How to Use Bitter

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word Forms

more bitter comparative, bitterer comparative, more bitter comparative, bittered past tense, bitters plural, bitters plural, bitters singular, most bitter superlative, bitterest superlative, most bitter superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The coffee was too _____ without sugar.

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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acrid caustic acerb acerbic bittersome sharp English pale ale EPA

Antonyms

optimistic sweet

Related Words

good distinct sweet flat Christian sharp intelligent obtuse

Rhymes for bitter

litter ritter witter sitter fitter hitter quitter glitter twitter critter skitter fritter

See all rhymes for bitter →

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acrid caustic acerb acerbic bittersome sharp English pale ale EPA optimistic sweet good distinct