bitter
bitter Lexical Profile
bitter Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Having a sharp, pungent, or acrid taste or smell that is not sweet and is often unpleasant.
"Unsweetened dark chocolate and black coffee both have a naturally bitter flavor."
Feeling or showing deep anger, hurt, or resentment because of perceived unfair treatment or disappointment.
"He remained bitter for years after being passed over for the promotion."
Causing severe emotional pain, grief, or intense hostility (such as a dispute, rivalry, or disappointment).
"The two rival companies were locked in a bitter legal dispute over patent rights."
Intensely and piercingly cold (of wind or weather).
"A bitter wind swept across the frozen plains throughout the night."
• noun
An alcoholic liquid infused with aromatic herbs, roots, or bark (usually used in the plural 'bitters'), added in small drops to flavor cocktails or used as a digestive tonic.
"The bartender added two dashes of aromatic bitters to the whiskey cocktail."
British A traditional British draught beer that is strongly flavored with hops and has a distinct bitter taste.
"He ordered a pint of local bitter at the neighborhood pub."
• verb
To make or become bitter in taste or feeling.
"Brewers add hops during the boiling process to bitter the wort and balance the sweetness of the malt."
• Rhymes for bitter
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English biter ('sharp, cutting, acrid, resentful'), derived from Proto-Germanic *bitraz, which comes from the same root as the verb 'bite' (originally meaning 'biting' or 'pungent').