Bitter

/ˈbɪt.ə/ · adjective

Meaning

Having an acrid taste (usually from a basic substance)..

Definitions by Sense

1. Having an acrid taste (usually from a basic substance).
2. Harsh, piercing, acerbic or stinging.
3. Hateful or hostile.
4. Cynical and resentful.
5. To an intense or severe degree; bitterly.
6. (usually in the plural bitters) A liquid or powder, made from bitter herbs, used in mixed drinks or as a tonic.
7. A type of beer heavily flavored with hops.
8. (nautical) A turn of a cable about the bitts.

Example Sentences

The coffee tasted bitter.

Long after his cigar burnt bitter, he sat with eyes fixed on the blaze. When the flames at last began to flicker and subside, his lids fluttered, then drooped; but he had lost all reckoning of time when he opened them again to find Miss Erroll in furs and ball-gown kneeling on the hearth[…].

A few types of molecules get sensed by receptors on the tongue. Protons coming off of acids ping receptors for "sour." Sugars get received as "sweet." Bitter, salty, and the proteinaceous flavor umami all set off their own neural cascades.

It was at the end of February, […] when the world was cold, and a bitter wind howled down the moors […].

They're bitter enemies.

Tottenham have not won in the Premier League at Emirates Stadium for 12 years, with Arsenal losing just one of their last 29 home league games against their bitter rivals.

He inveighed against the folly of making oneself liable for the debts of others; vented many bitter execrations against the brother; and concluded with wishing something could be done for the unfortunate family.

Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

Synonyms for bitter

Antonyms for bitter

Related Words

Word Forms

• more bitter
• bitterer
• most bitter
• bitterest
• bitters
• bittering
• bittered

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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