bitter
/ˈbɪt.ə/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
- 1.
Having a sharp, unpleasant taste, like coffee without sugar or some medicines.
- This tea tastes bitter.
- Bitter gourd is common in Indian cooking.
- 2.
Feeling anger, sadness, or resentment because of a bad experience.
- She felt bitter after losing the job.
- He is still bitter about the argument.
- 3.
Very severe or unpleasant, especially weather, disappointment, or conflict.
- It was a bitter winter morning.
- They had a bitter fight over money.
noun
A bitter taste or a drink with a bitter flavour.
- The drink has a pleasant bitter.
- I like the bitter in dark chocolate.
Adinary Nuance
Bitter is stronger and less neutral than sour or sharp for taste. For feelings, it suggests long-lasting hurt or resentment, not just simple unhappiness. Writers choose bitter when the feeling is deep, painful, or hard to let go.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đắng
- Spanish
- amargo
- Chinese
- 苦的
- Japanese
- 苦い
- Korean
- 쓴
Etymology
Old English bitter, from Proto-Germanic *bitraz. It is related to words for biting, because the taste feels sharp and harsh.
Common phrases
bitter tastebitter coldbitter enemybitter disappointment
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is bitter used for taste or feelings?
- It is used for both. It can describe an unpleasant taste or a painful feeling of resentment.
- What is the difference between bitter and sour?
- Sour mainly describes a sharp taste from acid, like lemon. Bitter is a harsher taste, like coffee or bitter gourd.
- Is bitter formal or informal?
- It is common in both speech and writing. In academic writing, it often describes emotions, conflict, or severe conditions.
- Can I say 'bitter about something'?
- Yes. It means you feel resentful or upset for a long time about it.