# bitch

/ˈbɪtʃ/ (US) · /bˈɪtʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bitch
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. female dog

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the technical name for a female dog or other canine.

For teachers: a female dog, wolf, fox, or otter. Used neutrally in professional breeding and veterinary contexts.

- The breeder confirmed that the bitch was healthy and ready to have her first litter of puppies.
- The veterinarian noted that the bitch had successfully whelped six healthy pups without any surgical intervention.

Usage: In modern English, this is the only sense that is not considered rude or informal.

### 3. a complaint

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

a complaint about something, often one that seems annoying or unnecessary.

For teachers: a grievance or complaint, typically one expressed in a spiteful or persistent manner.

- My only bitch about the new job is that the commute is too long.
- Despite the high salary, the constant overtime remained a major bitch among the junior associates.

### 4. something difficult

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang · Vulgar

a situation or task that is very difficult, unpleasant, or painful.

For teachers: an extremely difficult, unpleasant, or challenging task or circumstance.

- That chemistry exam was a real bitch; I don't think I passed.
- Driving through the mountain pass during a blizzard is a total bitch even for experienced truckers.

### 5. to complain

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal · Slang · Vulgar

to complain in a mean or annoying way about something.

For teachers: to complain or find fault in a spiteful or persistent manner. Often used with 'about'.

- Stop bitching about the weather and just put on a coat.
- They spent the entire lunch hour bitching about the new management's policy on remote work.

Usage: Usually intransitive; frequently followed by the preposition 'about'.

## Examples

- The dog is a friendly bitch.
- He called his colleague a bitch during the meeting, which was very unprofessional.
- In literature, the protagonist's harsh treatment of her subordinates often leads to her being described as a shrewd but ultimately cruel bitch, highlighting the moral ambiguity of her character.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.