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
nounDefinition 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)
\ 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)
bitter
verb
bittered;
bittering;
bitters
Definition of bitter (Entry 3 of 4)
: to make bitter (see bitter entry 1)
bittered ale
bitter
adverbDefinition of bitter (Entry 4 of 4)
: to an intense or severe degree : to a bitter (see bitter entry 1) degree
It's bitter cold.
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Other Words from bitter
Adjective
bitterish
\ ˈbi-tə-rish
\
adjective
\
adjective
bitterly
adverb
bitterness
noun
Synonyms & Antonyms for bitter
Synonyms: Adjective
acrid, acrimonious, embittered, hard, rancorous, resentful, sore
Antonyms: Adjective
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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
The play was initially bitter and crushing in its depiction of the girl’s disability and her parent’s struggle to care for her. — Harrison Smith, Washington Post, "Peter Nichols, mordant playwright of ‘A Day in the Death of Joe Egg,’ dies at 92," 10 Sep. 2019 Mr Assad’s ruthless tactics have left large parts of his population bitter and alienated. — The Economist, "Syria will poison the region for years to come," 5 Sep. 2019 The cherries, while bitter to taste, vary in flavor like apples or grapes. — Steve Zimmerman, chicagotribune.com, "Some of Chicago’s most interesting coffee is roasted in the suburbs. Here’s where to find it.," 3 Sep. 2019 Since hop varieties are so varied, an IPA may be notably bitter, citrusy, piney, herbal or imbued with tropical fruit notes. — Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Warm day, cold beer, hot cause: San Diego Festival of Beer battles cancer," 3 Sep. 2019 Follow Your Nose to Flavor The tongue detects at least five distinct tastes—sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami (a savory, meaty taste). — Jeff Csatari, Popular Mechanics, "The Ultimate Grilling Guide," 30 Aug. 2019 There’s one, published in my book Apéritif: Cocktail Hour the French Way, that drinks like a slightly bitter (in a good way) margarita, with yellow Suze, blanc vermouth, and lime. — Rebekah Peppler, Bon Appétit, "You Should Be Doing More Shots," 26 Aug. 2019 While divisions among the GOP often play out in bitter, public fights, Democrats have, for the most part, kept their electoral squabbles private. — Nic Garcia, The Denver Post, "Colorado Democrats usually play nice with each other. That could change in 2020.," 25 Aug. 2019 The original recipe, which is still in use today, remains a secret, but does include both bitter and sweet oranges as well as rhubarb. — Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, "The History of the Aperol Spritz," 24 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
In a mixing glass, stir together the bitters, cherry juice and simple syrup. — M. Carrie Allan, The Denver Post, "No alcohol, no problem: How to make complex, balanced zero-proof cocktails," 23 Aug. 2019 In a mixing glass, stir together the bitters, cherry juice and simple syrup. — M. Carrie Allan, Twin Cities, "No alcohol, no problem: How to make complex, balanced zero-proof cocktails," 19 Aug. 2019 In a mixing glass, stir together the bitters, cherry juice and simple syrup. — M. Carrie Allan, Washington Post, "No alcohol, no problem: How to make complex, balanced zero-proof cocktails," 14 Aug. 2019 Fill a cocktail shaker two-thirds of the way with ice cubes, then add the lime juice, coconut cream and bitters. — M. Carrie Allan, Washington Post, "No alcohol, no problem: How to make complex, balanced zero-proof cocktails," 14 Aug. 2019 The Stevie Ray, with lemon, pineapple, ginger and maple, is enhanced with Angostura bitters. — Leeanne Griffin, courant.com, "Shell & Bones: Unique summer cocktails, with or without booze, but always with a spectacular view," 12 July 2019 The drink consists of muddled blood oranges, blood orange bitters, sugar, bourbon and a splash of soda, garnished with a maraschino cherry and a ball of ice. — Weldon B. Johnson, azcentral, "Celebrate Arizona's role in the Apollo moon landing with anniversary-themed food, drinks and souvenirs," 1 July 2019 This grown-up shake triples down on the peach, in the form of ice cream, fresh fruit and bitters. —