WordGarden.iobitter
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /bˈɪtə/
US
- /ˈbɪtər/
Meanings
Adjective
having a sharp taste that is not sweet
feeling angry, hurt, or resentful after disappointment or unfair treatment
harsh, severe, and hard to endure
Beyond the definition
Think of the sharp, pungent taste of black coffee or grapefruit rind—that’s bitter. But the word isn’t just about flavor. It also describes deep, hard-seated emotions. Someone who feels hurt and angry over a past injustice may be described as bitter. That feeling often lingers, like an unpleasant aftertaste. You might say someone is bitter about a failure, rejection, or betrayal. The word also describes harsh conditions: a "bitter wind" is piercingly cold, and a "bitter dispute" is especially contentious.
The word bitter has a useful duality. At its most basic, it describes a sharp, often unpleasant taste—think unsweetened chocolate, coffee without sugar, or the rind of a citrus fruit. This physical sensation of sharpness gives the word its metaphorical power in English.
Bitter goes far beyond taste; it is most often used to describe emotions—especially feelings of resentment, ill will, and ongoing anger. Someone who is bitter about an event isn’t simply sad; they can become resentful, withdrawn, and inclined to blame others. For example: "After years of hardship, he became bitter and withdrawn."
Furthermore, you can use bitter to describe severe, unpleasant situations. In weather, a "bitter winter" is one with freezing temperatures and cutting winds. In social terms, "bitter rivals" or a "bitter dispute" suggest conflict that is especially contentious, long-lasting, and emotionally draining.
Over time, these meanings branch from the original taste sense, making bitter a word that can describe what leaves a strong, unwelcome impact on the senses, the body, or the heart.
Examples
- 1
Taste
This coffee is too bitter for me.
- 2
Weather
We stood in the bitter wind waiting for the bus.
- 3
Resentment
She was still bitter about not getting the promotion.
- Patternbitter about + event
still angry and upset because of it
- 4
Conflict
Their divorce turned into a long, bitter fight.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Disappointment
It was a bitter disappointment after months of work.
- 6
Emotional laugh
He gave a bitter laugh when he read her message.
- Phrasea bitter laugh
a laugh that shows anger, sadness, or disappointment
- 7
Hostility
The two families had been bitter enemies for years.
- 8
Persistence
They fought on to the bitter end.
- Phraseto the bitter end
until the very end, even when it is difficult or unpleasant
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- bitter taste
- bitter coffee
- bitter medicine
- too bitter
Word family
Explore
- basic tastes
- tannins
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- bitteradjectivenounverb
Forms
- bitterestsuperlativeadjectivenounverb
- bitterercomparativeadjectivenounverb