# biting

/ˈbaɪtɪŋ/ (US) · /bˈaɪtɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/biting
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. very cold weather

adjective · CEFR B1

describing wind or cold that feels sharp and painful on your skin.

For teachers: causing a sharp, stinging, or piercing physical sensation, typically in reference to wind or low temperatures.

- A biting wind blew across the lake, making our faces feel numb.
- The biting cold of the Arctic winter forced the expedition to remain in their shelters for three consecutive days.

### 2. sharp or hurtful speech

adjective · CEFR B2

describing words that are clever but also mean or hurtful.

For teachers: sharply critical, sarcastic, or incisive in a way that is intended to hurt or diminish.

- She regretted her biting comments after she saw how upset her friend was.
- The critic's biting review of the play was published on the front page, effectively ending the production's run after only one week.

### 4. a snack

noun · CEFR C1 · Dialect

a small piece of food or a snack.

For teachers: a small portion of food or a light snack; specifically used in certain regional dialects of English.

- We served some small bitings and drinks before the main dinner started.
- The host provided a variety of traditional bitings for the guests to enjoy while they waited for the wedding ceremony to commence.

Teaching tip: This sense is primarily found in East African English, particularly in Kenya; learners should use 'snacks' or 'appetizers' in most other contexts.

## Examples

- The dog is biting its favorite toy.
- I am biting my lip because I am nervous about the presentation.
- The child was reprimanded for biting his classmate during a disagreement over a shared toy in the playground.

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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.