bitter

¹bit·ter

adjective \ˈbi-tər\

Definition of BITTER

1

a : being or inducing the one of the four basic taste sensations that is peculiarly acrid, astringent, or disagreeable and suggestive of an infusion of hops — compare salt, sour, sweet

b : distasteful or distressing to the mind : galling <a bitter sense of shame>

2

: marked by intensity or severity:

a : accompanied by severe pain or suffering <a bitter death>

b : being relentlessly determined : vehement <a bitter partisan>

c : exhibiting intense animosity <bitter enemies>

d (1) : harshly reproachful <bitter complaints> (2) : marked by cynicism and rancor <bitter contempt>

e : intensely unpleasant especially in coldness or rawness <a bitter wind>

3

: expressive of severe pain, grief, or regret <bitter tears>

— bit·ter·ish \ˈbi-tə-rish\ adjective

— bit·ter·ly adverb

— bit·ter·ness noun

Examples of BITTER

1. Cocoa beans have a bitter flavor.
2. The medicine had a bitter aftertaste.
3. We were struck by the bitter irony of the situation.
4. His betrayal had made her bitter.
5. She was still bitter toward her ex-husband.
6. He's the bitterest man I know.

Origin of BITTER

Middle English, from Old English biter; akin to Old High German bittar bitter, Old English bītan to bite — more at bite

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BITTER

Synonyms

acrid, acrimonious, embittered, hard, rancorous, resentful, sore

Antonyms

unbitter

Related Words

disaffected, discontented, disgruntled, malcontent; contemptuous, cynical, disdainful, misanthropic, scornful; angry, cruel, harsh, irritated, mad, rough, savage, vehement, vicious, virulent, vitriolic; acid, caustic, cutting, mordant, sarcastic, trenchant; knock-down, drag-out (or knock-down-and-drag-out)

Near Antonyms

caring, forgiving, gentle, kind, kindhearted, loving, sweet, sympathetic, tender, warm, warmhearted

Rhymes with BITTER

chitter, critter, fitter, flitter, fritter, glitter, hitter, jitter, knitter, litter, quitter, quittor, sitter, skitter, slitter, spitter, titter, twitter

²bitter

noun

Definition of BITTER

1

: bitter quality

2

a plural : a usually alcoholic solution of bitter and often aromatic plant products used especially in preparing mixed drinks or as a mild tonic

b British : a very dry heavily hopped ale

Examples of BITTER

1. The cocktail recipe called for a dash of bitters.
2. a good selection of bitters

First Known Use of BITTER

before 12th century

Other Alcoholic Beverage Terms

finish, gimlet, mull, sake, setup, sommelier, syllabub, vintner, wassail

Rhymes with BITTER

fitter, flitter, fritter, glitter, hitter, jitter, knitter, litter, slitter, spitter, titter, twitter

³bitter

transitive verb

Definition of BITTER

: to make bitter <bittered ale>

First Known Use of BITTER

12th century

Other Alcoholic Beverage Terms

finish, gimlet, mull, sake, setup, sommelier, syllabub, vintner, wassail

⁴bitter

adverb

Definition of BITTER

: to a bitter degree <it's bitter cold>

First Known Use of BITTER

1749

bit·ter

adjective \ˈbit-ər\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of BITTER

: being or inducing the one of the four basic taste sensations that is peculiarly acrid, astringent, or disagreeable and suggestive of an infusion of hops—compare salt 2, sour, sweet

—bit·ter·ness noun