# bittersweet

/ˈbɪtɝˌswit/ (US) · /bˈɪtəswˌiːt/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. mixed emotions

adjective · CEFR B2

feeling both happy and sad at the same time.

For teachers: evoking or characterized by a mixture of pleasure and pain, or regret and happiness.

- Moving to a new city was a bittersweet moment because I was excited but sad to leave my friends.
- The graduation ceremony was a bittersweet occasion, marking the successful completion of their studies while signaling the inevitable dispersal of a close-knit group.

### 2. taste

adjective · CEFR B2

having a taste that is both bitter and sweet.

For teachers: simultaneously possessing a sharp, acrid flavor and a sugary or pleasant one.

- I love the bittersweet taste of dark chocolate with sea salt.
- The chef balanced the bittersweet notes of the radicchio with a honey-based dressing to create a more harmonious flavor profile.

### 3. a plant

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a type of climbing plant with small berries.

For teachers: any of several vines, particularly Solanum dulcamara or the American genus Celastrus, known for their colorful berries.

- The garden fence was covered in bittersweet with its bright orange berries.
- The florist incorporated sprigs of American bittersweet into the autumnal centerpiece, highlighting the vibrant red seeds revealed by the split orange husks.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the species generally.

Teaching tip: In North America, this usually refers to the woody vine Celastrus, whereas in Europe it often refers to the toxic nightshade.

### 4. a color

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a color that is between orange and red.

For teachers: a specific hue within the reddish-orange or pinkish-orange spectrum.

- The sunset turned the clouds a beautiful shade of bittersweet.
- The interior designer suggested a bittersweet accent wall to provide warmth to the otherwise neutral living room.

## Examples

- Moving to a new city felt bittersweet.
- Graduation was a bittersweet occasion as students celebrated their achievements while saying goodbye to lifelong friends.
- The final chapter of the memoir offers a bittersweet reflection on a career defined by immense public success and profound personal isolation.

---

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.