bitter

adjective

bit·ter | \ ˈbi-tər

Definition of bitter

(Entry 1 of 4)

1a : being, inducing, or marked by the one of the five basic taste sensations that is peculiarly acrid, astringent, and often disagreeable and characteristic of citrus peels, unsweetened cocoa, black coffee, mature leafy greens (such as kale or mustard), or ale The pill left a bitter taste in my mouth. bitter beer bitter chocolates — compare salty entry 1 sense 1b, sour entry 1 sense 1, sweet entry 1, umami entry 2 sense 1

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 was still bitter about not being chosen

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

3 : caused by or expressive of severe pain, grief, or regret bitter tears

bitter

noun

Definition of bitter (Entry 2 of 4)

1a : bitter quality … stepping outside your comfort zone and taking the bitter with the sweet.— James Poniewoziks

b : the taste sensation that is peculiarly acrid, astringent, and often disagreeable and is characteristic of citrus peels, unsweetened cocoa, black coffee, mature leafy greens (such as kale or mustard), or ale — compare salty entry 2, sour entry 2 sense 1b, sweet entry 3 sense 2, umami entry 1

2a bitters\ ˈbi-tərz

\ plural : a usually alcoholic solution of bitter and often aromatic plant products used especially in preparing mixed drinks or as a mild tonic (see tonic entry 1 sense 1b)

b British : a very dry (see dry entry 1 sense 7b) heavily hopped ale

bitter

verb

bittered; bittering; bitters

Definition of bitter (Entry 3 of 4)

transitive verb

: to make bitter (see bitter entry 1) bittered ale

bitter

adverb

Definition of bitter (Entry 4 of 4)

: to an intense or severe degree : to a bitter (see bitter entry 1) degree It's bitter cold.

Other Words from bitter Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about bitter

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Synonyms & Antonyms for bitter

Synonyms: Adjective

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

Antonyms: Adjective

unbitter

Examples of bitter in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Noun

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

But, of course, fear has long been a way to motivate people, and back then, the fear sweeping America was that the Soviet Union, our bitterest enemy, was eclipsing us — or worse, converting other nations to Communism. — Michael Granberry, Dallas News, "Some people say it never happened, but this Dallas author says we can and will return to the moon," 3 July 2019 Unfortunately for Peter, Mysterio is actually a former Stark lackey who’s bitter that Tony dismissed his BARF technology, which could create advanced, realistic holograms. — Eliana Dockterman, Time, "Breaking Down the Spider-Man: Far From Home Post-Credits Scenes," 2 July 2019 That's the bitter reality for Frontier Communications customers such as Rich Son of Texas. — Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, "Frontier customer bought his own router—but has to pay $10 rental fee anyway," 2 July 2019 On April 1, 1999, at a Passover Seder, Jane ate a bite of the matzo and the maror, the bitter herbs, the bread of life and the bitterness of affliction. — Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, "The Lingering of Loss," 1 July 2019 Their bitter divorce made headlines with a maternity suit, ending with a judge ruling Shepherd legally and financially responsible for their son Lamar, Jr., born via surrogate. — Jasmine Grant, Essence, "Sherri Shepherd Reveals Many Celebrities Friends Warned Her Not To Marry Ex-Husband Lamar Sally," 1 July 2019 But a couple of months before Marsha disappeared, Reggie Jay says the writers group was stunned by a bitter email exchange with her. — Peter Van Sant, CBS News, "Was a missing Tennessee woman murdered or did she willingly disappear?," 29 June 2019 The Skripal case has been a point of bitter contention between Britain and Russia. — Doug Stanglin, USA TODAY, "Report: Cell data points to Russian military intelligence officer as commander of British poisoning plot," 29 June 2019 For the uninitiated, a classic Negroni is basically a strong mix of equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and an Italian bitter aperitivo (traditionally Campari). — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "Approaching Its 100th Birthday, The Negroni is Having a Comeback," 28 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Along with beer and wine, the pizzeria serves libations like the Lavender Lady (gin, lavender cordial, lime and sparkling wine); and the Prickly Pear Sour (Pisco Quebranta, prickly pear puree, lime, egg white and bitters). 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "The Dish: San Diego restaurants scramble up hot new summer menus, libations," 4 July 2019 Sip the signature Yellow Jacket Martini, made with Don Julio Reposado Tequila, yellow chartreuse, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, orange bitters, and orange peel garnish. — Laurie Wilson, BostonGlobe.com, "Rock on: It’s porch season," 21 June 2019 An Old Fashioned is made with whiskey (bourbon or rye), bitters, and sugar; a Manhattan is traditionally made with rye whiskey and substitutes sweet vermouth for the sugar. — Sam Dangremond, Town & Country, "What's the Difference Between an Old Fashioned and a Manhattan Cocktail?," 21 Aug. 2017 Place sugar cube in rocks glass, top with bitters and 1/2 teaspoon water and let soak until sugar dissolves a little. — The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, Good Housekeeping, "Thinking Cap Cocktail," 17 Aug. 2018 But don't expect fantastical concoctions with fancy bitters served in beakers on a bed of dry ice. — Nneka Mcguire, chicagotribune.com, "Hungry for authenticity? Consider calling Humboldt Park home," 2 July 2017 Add the rum, mezcal, bitters, lime juice, passion fruit liqueur and ginger syrup. — Sonia Rao, chicagotribune.com, "Summer cocktail recipes to expand your happy hour horizons," 29 June 2018 Try the scarlet orange Bugs Bunnys with Tanqueray gin, fresh carrot juice, and three chile bitters, or the Manhattan served inside a hollow ice sphere that's cracked open with a spoon. — Scarlett Lindeman, Condé Nast Traveler, "20 Best Bars in Mexico City," 27 Feb. 2018 Sip on a sake sangria made with sake, sparkling wine, watermelon and grapes, or a Toki Old Fashioned made with Japanese Toki whisky, Hibiki whisky, honey and bitters, both available for $15. — Shelbie Lynn Bostedt, RedEye Chicago, "Drink your way around the globe without leaving Chicago," 21 Sep. 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

With all the ABVs and bittering units, barrel sizes and batch numbers, a beer bottle’s label can often read like the back of a baseball card. — William Bostwick, WSJ, "Finally, Light Beers That Aren’t Light on Flavor," 8 Aug. 2018 The liqueur puts Indiana persimmons front and center while adding traditional bittering agents like rhubarb root and bitter orange peel, with cardamom and spearmint offering added complexity. — Kenney Marlatt, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago spirit-maker Apologue delivers Midwestern flavors to cocktails," 30 May 2018 Another hop, typically grown in the Southern Hemisphere and used largely as a bittering agent, presented big, fruit flavors more like traditional West Coast hops. — Natasha Geiling, Smithsonian, "The East Coast May Be On the Brink of a Hop Renaissance," 21 May 2018 Those are made employing the still somewhat suspicious American practice of adding bittering hops to the mix, but there's nothing aggressive or even untoward about them. — Mike Sula, Chicago Reader, "Irving Park’s Eris is a space of supermortal dimensions," 22 Mar. 2018 Night Shift built Nite Lite similarly, adding real corn (as opposed to corn syrup or rice syrup) and brewing with a touch of Saaz hops, the classic bittering agent in a Czech pilsner. — Gary Dzen, BostonGlobe.com, "Night Shift releasing Nite Lite, taking on the Buds and Millers of the world," 20 Mar. 2018 Two grants for a total of $135,154 went to Pennsylvania State University for projects involving hops, which are the bittering agent in beer. — Harold Brubaker, Philly.com, "Pa. awards $705K in PLCB grants to promote state's beer industry," 1 Mar. 2018 Ginger bitters counter the prominent elderflower notes, while the cider gives the glass a silky finish instead of boisterous bubbles. — Rheanna Bellomo, Esquire, "5 Aprés-Ski Cocktails to Warm You Up After a Day on the Slopes," 16 Feb. 2018 CO2 Extract Hop Oil Hop-oil extract replaces bittering hop pellets added at the start of the boil. — Matt Allyn, Popular Mechanics, "The New Science of Making Ridiculously Hoppy Beer," 18 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bitter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of bitter

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for bitter

Adjective

Middle English, going back to Old English biter, going back to Germanic *bitra- (whence Old Saxon & Old High German bittar "acrid-tasting," Old Norse bitr "biting, sharp") and *baitra- (whence Gothic baitrs "sharp-tasting"), derivatives from the base of *bītan- "to bite" — more at bite entry 1

Noun

derivative of bitter entry 1

Verb

Middle English bittrin, going back to Old English biterian, derivative of biter bitter entry 1

Adverb

Middle English bitter, bittere, going back to Old English bitere, derivative of biter bitter entry 1

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Learn More about bitter

Dictionary Entries near bitter

bittacle

bitten by the (activity) bug

Statistics for bitter

Last Updated

7 Jul 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for bitter

The first known use of bitter was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for bitter

bitter

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of bitter

(Entry 1 of 2)

: having a strong and often unpleasant flavor that is the opposite of sweet

: causing painful emotions : felt or experienced in a strong and unpleasant way

: angry and unhappy because of unfair treatment

bitter

noun

English Language Learners Definition of bitter (Entry 2 of 2)

: a bitter alcoholic liquid that is used especially in mixed drinks

British : a type of beer that has a slightly bitter flavor

See the full definition for bitter in the English Language Learners Dictionary

bitter

adjective

bit·ter | \ ˈbi-tər

bitterer; bitterest

Kids Definition of bitter

1 : sharp, biting, and unpleasant to the taste

2 : unhappy and angry because of unfair treatment She was bitter toward her spoiled sister.

3 : hard to put up with a bitter disappointment

4 : caused by anger, distress, or sorrow bitter tears

5 : very harsh or sharp : biting a bitter wind

bitter

adjective

bit·ter | \ ˈbit-ər

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 entry 2 sense 2, sour entry 1, sweet entry 1