bittersweet

play

noun bit·ter·sweet \ˈbi-tər-ˌswēt\

Definition of bittersweet

1 : something that is bittersweet; especially : pleasure accompanied by suffering or regret … the bittersweet of their long separation … — Christopher Morley
2 botany a : a poisonous Eurasian woody vine (Solanum dulcamara) of the nightshade family that has purple flowers and oval reddish berries and is naturalized (see naturalize 4) in North Americab : a North American poisonous woody vine (Celastrus scandens) of the staff-tree family having clusters of small greenish flowers succeeded by yellow capsules (see ¹capsule 2a) that open when ripe and disclose the scarlet aril

Recent Examples of bittersweet from the Web

Bittersweet: For all that, we’re reminded as late as the very last song that both cherries and the world of this show can be bitter as well as sweet.

— mike fischer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Northern Sky Theater evokes WW2 in Door County with musical 'Victory Farm'," 27 June 2017
As lights and sound (designed by Cherone, operated by Chris Ridenour) rise at the beginning of Act 1, the cast steps up to deliver a gentle comedy that tugs mercilessly at heartstrings and culminates in a bittersweet, hopeful ending.

— patti restivo, Laurel Leader, "'Curious Savage' takes an amusing venture into insanity," 9 June 2017
Although Joey Logano earned his first win of the season - nearly overdue with so many top finishes through the first quarter of the 2017 season - the No. 22 car's victory is now a little bittersweet.

— michelle r. martinelli, USA TODAY, "Fans are baffled by Logano's 'encumbered' win," 4 May 2017
Going to the circus On Sunday, sportswriter Jason Gay went with his family to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, producing a bittersweet (mostly sweet) opus on an American institution that will close soon.

— atul gawande, VanityFair.com, "How Donald Trump Is Winning His Media War," 27 Feb. 2017
Going to the circus On Sunday, sportswriter Jason Gay went with his family to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, producing a bittersweet (mostly sweet) opus on an American institution that will close soon.

— The Hive, "How Donald Trump Is Winning His Media War," 27 Feb. 2017
Going to the circus On Sunday, sportswriter Jason Gay went with his family to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, producing a bittersweet (mostly sweet) opus on an American institution that will close soon.

— atul gawande, vanityfair.com, "How Donald Trump Is Winning His Media War," 27 Feb. 2017
Going to the circus On Sunday, sportswriter Jason Gay went with his family to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, producing a bittersweet (mostly sweet) opus on an American institution that will close soon.

— The Hive, "How Donald Trump Is Winning His Media War," 27 Feb. 2017
The rapport between Jamie and this infant is bittersweet.

— angelica jade bastiÉn, New York Times, "Season 2, Episode 8: ‘The Fox’s Lair’," 28 May 2016

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

First Known Use of bittersweet

14th century

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, box, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse, trefoil

bittersweet

adjective bit·ter·sweet

Definition of bittersweet

1 : being at once bitter and sweet; especially : pleasant but including or marked by elements of suffering or regret a bittersweet ballad bittersweet memories
2 : of or relating to a prepared chocolate containing little sugar bittersweet chocolate chips

bittersweetly

adverb

bittersweetness

noun

See bittersweet defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of bittersweet from the Web

So began a bittersweet odyssey for the couple, partners in life as well as work.

— erik stokstad, Science | AAAS, "A fungus is attacking Europe’s most beloved salamander. It could wreak havoc if it gets to North America," 19 July 2017
The sparkling white wine is an organic, dry variety from Sicily while the grapefruit is the pink kind, full of bittersweet citrusy flavors.

— justin kennedy, GQ, "The Best Canned Wine and Cocktails to Drink This Summer," 29 June 2017
Brush sliced bread with melted butter on the outside and make sandwiches with a bar of bittersweet chocolate inside.

— mark bittman, GQ, "How to Grill Vegetables (and Anything Else that Isn’t Meat)," 29 June 2017
But in a bit of bittersweet news for Apple, the company's e-book troubles are being put to rest.

— don reisinger, Fortune, "Apple’s Week Centered on Tim Cook and Qualcomm," 24 June 2017
Never one to shy away from controversy or provocation, Rodriguez considers the concept of fatherhood through the bittersweet legacy and heritage of the fatherland, in this case Mexico.

— rigoberto gonzález, NBC News, "A Latino Father’s Day Reader: Eight Books About Dad," 16 June 2017
During a meeting with royal biographer Andrew Morton, the princess spoke freely about the bittersweet implications of her second pregnancy.

— caroline picard, Good Housekeeping, "Diana Said Her Marriage "Went Down the Drain" Because Prince Charles Wanted a Girl," 15 June 2017
Warmbier's return to the United States will be bittersweet.

— holly yan, CNN, "What does it take to get an American released from North Korea?," 13 June 2017
Extremely confrontational’ style limits his appeal: analyst For Mexican presidential front-runner Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Sunday’s election must have been bittersweet.

— eric martin, Bloomberg.com, "Mexico's Fiery Populist May Need to Tone It Down to Win in 2018," 6 June 2017

First Known Use of bittersweet

1576

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

BITTERSWEET Defined for English Language Learners

bittersweet

adjective

Definition of bittersweet for English Language Learners

: having both bitter and sweet flavors
: combining sadness and happiness

BITTERSWEET Defined for Kids

bittersweet

play

noun bit·ter·sweet \ˈbi-tər-ˌswēt\

Definition of bittersweet for Students

1 : a poisonous vine originally of Europe and Asia with purple flowers and red berries
2 : a poisonous North American woody climbing plant with orange seed capsules that open when ripe to reveal red seeds