Word
bitter
Phoneticsbit·ter, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbɪtɝ/
UK/bˈɪtɐ/
Definitions
01sharp taste
B1 · Intermediate Cooking
adj. having a sharp, strong taste that is not sweet, like black coffee or dark chocolate.
adj. having a sharp, pungent, or acrid taste; the opposite of sweet.
日本語:苦い※
“The medicine had a very bitter taste, so I drank some juice afterward.”
“The chef explained that the radicchio provides a bitter contrast to the richness of the creamy walnut sauce.”
02resentful or angry
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. feeling angry and unhappy because you think you have been treated unfairly.
adj. exhibiting or feeling intense animosity, resentment, or cynicism resulting from perceived injustice or disappointment.
日本語:悔しい※
Español:amargado
“He was still bitter about losing his job after ten years of hard work.”
“The divorce left both parties feeling bitter, leading to years of legal disputes over relatively minor assets.”
03very cold weather
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. extremely cold in a way that feels painful.
adj. characterised by intense, piercing, or stinging cold.
“A bitter wind blew across the lake, making our faces sting.”
“The expedition was forced to turn back when a bitter frost made it impossible to maintain their equipment.”
04type of beer
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun British English
n. a type of British beer that has a strong, sharp taste from hops.
n. a style of British ale with a high hop content, resulting in a characteristically sharp flavour.
“He ordered a pint of bitter at the local pub.”
“The brewery is famous for its traditional English bitter, which is still served from wooden casks.”
Synonyms
05herbal liquid
C1 · Advanced Plural noun Cooking Technical
n. a strong-tasting liquid made from herbs, often added to cocktails.
n. a liquid or powder prepared from bitter herbs and roots, used as a tonic or a flavouring agent in mixed drinks.
“The bartender added a few drops of orange bitters to the drink.”
“A dash of aromatic bitters can significantly enhance the complexity of a classic whiskey cocktail.”
Usage
Usually used in the plural form 'bitters' when referring to the cocktail ingredient.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “bitter” in context.
Verb
01. become bitter
“She became bitter after her business partner betrayed her trust.”
verb + adj
02. taste bitter
“This coffee tastes bitter because it has been sitting on the heater for too long.”
verb + adj
Adjective
03. bitter about
“He is still very bitter about losing his job after twenty years of loyal service.”
adj + prep
04. bitter cold
“We had to wrap up in several layers to survive the bitter cold of the winter morning.”
adj + noun
05. bitter disappointment
“Losing the championship in the final minute was a bitter disappointment for the whole team.”
adj + noun
06. extremely bitter
“The medicine had an extremely bitter taste, making it difficult for the child to swallow.”
adv + adj
Noun
07. bitter enemy
“The two politicians have been bitter enemies for decades, rarely agreeing on any policy.”
adj + noun
08. bitter pill to swallow
“Accepting that he wasn't good enough for the Olympic team was a bitter pill to swallow.”
adj + noun
09. bitter dispute
Real-World Examples
“On Sunday, Mourinho was at it again, following his 10-man Real Madrid side’s 2-1 defeat at the hands of their bitter city rivals Atlético.” “A year-round duvet that will keep you warm during bitter winter months but cool once spring rolls around will save you both space and money.” “Very dark roasts can feel bitter or ashy.” “Without enough milk, the latte can lean toward being bitter.” Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰidrós Proto-Germanic *bitraz Proto-West Germanic *bitr Old English biter Middle English bittre English bitter From Middle English bitter, bittre, from Old English bitter, biter (“bitter”), from Proto-West Germanic bitr, from Proto-Germanic bitraz (“bitter”), equivalent to bite + -er (agent noun suffix) used attributively. Cognate with Saterland Frisian bitter, West Frisian bitter, Low German bitter, Dutch bitter, German bitter, Swedish bitter, Icelandic bitur (all meaning “bitter”).
From bit + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Idioms
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/bitter
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0