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REFERENCE

bitter

adj. · n.
US //ˈbɪtɝ// UK //bˈɪtɐ// bit·ter
  1. 1 sharp taste (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate Cooking

    having a sharp, strong taste that is not sweet, like black coffee or dark chocolate.

    having a sharp, pungent, or acrid taste; the opposite of sweet.

    Example

    The medicine had a very bitter taste, so I drank some juice afterward.

    Example

    The chef explained that the radicchio provides a bitter contrast to the richness of the creamy walnut sauce.
  2. 2 resentful or angry (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    feeling angry and unhappy because you think you have been treated unfairly.

    exhibiting or feeling intense animosity, resentment, or cynicism resulting from perceived injustice or disappointment.

    Example

    He was still bitter about losing his job after ten years of hard work.

    Example

    The divorce left both parties feeling bitter, leading to years of legal disputes over relatively minor assets.
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  1. 3 very cold weather (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    extremely cold in a way that feels painful.

    characterised by intense, piercing, or stinging cold.

    Example

    A bitter wind blew across the lake, making our faces sting.

    Example

    The expedition was forced to turn back when a bitter frost made it impossible to maintain their equipment.
  2. 4 type of beer (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English

    a type of British beer that has a strong, sharp taste from hops.

    a style of British ale with a high hop content, resulting in a characteristically sharp flavour.

    Example

    He ordered a pint of bitter at the local pub.

    Example

    The brewery is famous for its traditional English bitter, which is still served from wooden casks.
  3. 5 herbal liquid (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Cooking

    a strong-tasting liquid made from herbs, often added to cocktails.

    a liquid or powder prepared from bitter herbs and roots, used as a tonic or a flavouring agent in mixed drinks.

    Example

    The bartender added a few drops of orange bitters to the drink.

    Example

    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.
Etymology 1

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”).

Etymology 2

From bit + -er.

Word family
Idioms3 entries

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