ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bitterly

adv. manner
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈbɪtɝɫi// UK //bˈɪtəli// bit·ter·ly

adv. in a way that shows strong anger, sadness, or disappointment. You can also use it to describe weather that is painfully cold.

adv. in an intense manner characterized by resentment, grief, or extreme physical discomfort. Often functions as an intensifier for adjectives related to disappointment or cold temperatures.


SIMPLE

They argued bitterly about the money.

CONTEXTUAL

The losing candidate was bitterly disappointed by the election results after leading in the polls for weeks.

COMPLEX

The wind blew bitterly across the frozen tundra, forcing the researchers to abandon their outdoor equipment and seek immediate shelter within the reinforced base.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English bitterli, biterli, biterliche, from Old English biterlīċe, bitterlīċe (“bitterly”), equivalent to bitter + -ly. Cognate with German Low German bitterlik (“bitterly”), German bitterlich (“bitterly”), Swedish bitterligen (“bitterly”).

Usage

Commonly collocates with 'cold', 'disappointed', 'resentful', or 'divided'.

Pitfall

It was a bitter cold dayIt was a bitterly cold dayWhen modifying an adjective like 'cold', the adverbial form 'bitterly' must be used instead of the adjective 'bitter'.

© 2026 English Reference