bittersweet

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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 America

b :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

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Recent Examples of bittersweet from the Web

Discs landed in thick clumps of bittersweet, underneath bushes, into fields of tall grass.

— denise coffey, Courant Community, "West Thompson Lake Disc Golf Offers Challenges, Great Scenery," 17 Aug. 2017
Detroit Free Press Memories of 1967 are bittersweet for Catherine Cartwright-Roberson.

— Detroit Free Press, "Cass Tech class of '67 recalls Detroit riot: 'It was traumatic'," 23 July 2017
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
The Deptford pink (Dianthus armeria) is not in the same league as more famous and rapacious invaders like phragmites, mugwort or bittersweet.

— dave taft, New York Times, "Dainty Invader: the Deptford Pink," 26 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

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

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

This is bittersweet, because those guys brought sizzle.

— shawn windsor, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers take 1st step in road to recovery: Admitting they stink," 30 Aug. 2017
Giving birth to quadruplet sons is rare enough, but one Ohio mother has the bittersweet honor of seeing all of them leave home to attend Yale together this fall.

— malaika jabali, Essence.com, "Black Excellence: These Quadruplet Brothers Are All Headed To Yale This Fall," 22 Aug. 2017
Following a week in the life of a struggling musician in New York, this is a bittersweet blend of stirring songs (yes, Oscar Isaac can also sing) and dry, dark humor.

— emma dibdin, Marie Claire, "12 of the Best Movies You Can Stream on Amazon Prime Video," 18 Aug. 2017
Last November 8 was a bittersweet day for nativists in Phoenix.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Ejected by Voters, ‘America’s Toughest Sheriff’ Could Now Be Headed to Prison," 31 July 2017
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
Today is my last day of school and my first day on @Twitter [THREAD] — Malala (@Malala) July 7, 2017 Graduating from secondary school (high school) is bittersweet for me.

— sarah gidick, The Hollywood Reporter, "#SocialGathering: Tina Knowles Is Living Her Best Life; Capitol Hill Reporter Fashions Paper Into Sleeves to Appease Congress Dress Code," 7 July 2017
One bittersweet change in the newsroom is that longtime Statesman journalist Bill Roberts is retiring after 43 years in this profession, 30 as a Statesman reporter and editor.

— rhonda prast, idahostatesman, "New beats and new focus will make our news coverage more relevant," 30 June 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

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

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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

bittersweet

adjective

Definition of bittersweet for Students

:being partly bitter or sad and partly sweet or happy

He had bittersweet memories of summer camp.

Medical Dictionary

bittersweet

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noun bit·ter·sweet \ ˈbit-ər-ˌswēt, ˌbit-ər-ˈ \

medical Definition of bittersweet

:a sprawling poisonous weedy nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) with purple flowers and oval reddish orange berries that is the source of dulcamara

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See words that rhyme with bittersweet Spanish Central: Translation of bittersweet Nglish: Translation of bittersweet for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bittersweet

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bittersweet

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bittersweet

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bittersweet

medical Definition of bittersweet

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