Bitter Meaning
/ˈbɪt.ə/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjHaving an acrid taste (usually from a basic substance).
adjHarsh, piercing, acerbic or stinging.
Sentence Examples
Laugh as much as you like; I'll stick to my plan to the bitter end.
Whatever happens, I'll stick to my principles to the bitter end.
Black coffee leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The coffee was so ____ that she added three spoons of sugar to it.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The medicine had a very ____ taste, so I drank some juice after it.
Word Origin & History
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, West Frisian, Low German, Danish, Dutch, German, Norwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk, and Swedish bitter, Icelandic bitur (all meaning “bitter”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Long after his cigar burnt bitter, he sat with eyes fixed on the blaze. When the flames at last began to flicker and subside, his lids fluttered, then drooped; but he had lost all reckoning of time when he opened them again to find Miss Erroll in furs and ball-gown kneeling on the hearth[…]."
— 1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, chapter III, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC:
"A few types of molecules get sensed by receptors on the tongue. Protons coming off of acids ping receptors for "sour." Sugars get received as "sweet." Bitter, salty, and the proteinaceous flavor umami all set off their own neural cascades."
— 2018 May 16, Adam Rogers, “The Fundamental Nihilism of Yanny vs. Laurel”, in Wired:
"Tottenham have not won in the Premier League at Emirates Stadium for 12 years, with Arsenal losing just one of their last 29 home league games against their bitter rivals."
— 2022 October 1, Phil McNulty, “Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham: Gunners show identity & direction in outstanding derby win”, in BBC Sport:
"He inveighed against the folly of making oneself liable for the debts of others; vented many bitter execrations against the brother; and concluded with wishing something could be done for the unfortunate family."
— 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC:
"Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Colossians 3:19:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The coffee was so ____ that she added three spoons of sugar to it.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The medicine had a very ____ taste, so I drank some juice after it.