bitter

1 of 2

adjective

bit·​ter ˈbi-tər 

1

a

: 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

bitterish

ˈbi-tə-rish 

adjective

bitterly adverb

bitterness noun

bitterness

2 of 2

noun

bit·​ter·​ness

ˈbi-tər-nəs

plural -es

1

: the quality or state of being bitter

2

: something bitter

Synonyms of bitter

Adjective

• angry
• sore
• cynical
• embittered
• resentful
• acrimonious
• acrid
• rancorous
• mad

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Drinks like the Sbagliato Sbagliato feature a mix of strawberry crémant sparkling wine, French vermouth blend and French bitter apéritif blend for a strawberry twist on the classic cocktail crafted with French artisanal products—and the non-alcoholic versions are just as compelling. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026

Latest in bitter back-and-forth The sour words about each candidate’s PAC connections are only the latest in a bitter back-and-forth between the two Democrat women. —Mathew Miranda june 4, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026

Does that fuel you or put a bitter taste in your mouth? —Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 4 June 2026

One day, James, a watchful and solitary child, escapes his bitter family in a sweet peach that floats him away. —Literary Hub, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

Middle English bitternesse, from Old English biternes, from biter bitter + -nes -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Phrases Containing bitter

• bitter almond
• bitter cress
• bitter end
• bitter orange
• to/until the bitter end

Rhymes for bitter

• critter
• fitter
• fritter
• glitter
• hitter
• jitter
• knitter
• litter
• quitter
• ritter
• splitter
• titter

Kids Definition

bitter

adjective

bit·​ter

ˈbit-ər

1

: having or being a disagreeable sharp taste that is one of the four basic taste sensations

bitter coffee

compare salt entry 3 sense 1b, sour entry 1 sense 1, sweet entry 1 sense 1b

2

: hard to accept or bear : painful

bitter disappointment

3

: sharp and resentful

a bitter reply

4

: unpleasantly cold

a bitter wind

bitterly adverb

bitterness noun

Medical Definition

bitter

adjective

bit·​ter ˈbit-ər 

: 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

bitterness noun