# bitterly

/ˈbɪtɝɫi/ (US) · /bˈɪtəli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bitterly
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. with anger or sadness

adverb · CEFR B2

in a way that shows you feel very angry, hurt, or disappointed.

For teachers: in a manner characterized by intense animosity, resentment, or deep disappointment.

- He complained bitterly about the way his boss had treated him.
- The former partners fought bitterly over the division of their remaining assets, refusing to speak to one another during the mediation.

Usage: Often modifies verbs of speaking or feeling, such as 'complain', 'weep', or 'regret'.

### 2. extremely cold

adverb · CEFR B2

used to describe weather that is painfully or unpleasantly cold.

For teachers: to an extreme and unpleasant degree; almost exclusively used as a collocate for 'cold'.

- It was a bitterly cold morning, and the wind cut through my coat.
- The expedition was forced to turn back when the weather became bitterly cold, making it impossible to maintain the equipment.

Usage: Primarily used to modify the adjective 'cold'.

## Examples

- They argued bitterly about the money.
- The losing candidate was bitterly disappointed by the election results after leading in the polls for weeks.
- The wind blew bitterly across the frozen tundra, forcing the researchers to abandon their outdoor equipment and seek immediate shelter within the reinforced base.

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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.