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0 English - Monolingual Dictionary

Bitter

ˈbɪdər
Very common
~ 1600
~ 1600, Very common
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
Having a sharp, unpleasant taste; not sweet, Feeling or showing anger, hurt, or resentment, Having a sharp, disagreeable, or harsh quality

Bitter - Meanings

Having a sharp, unpleasant taste; not sweet

Example: The coffee was too bitter for my liking.
Usage: informalContext: discussing food and drinks
Note: Commonly used to describe the taste of certain foods like coffee, dark chocolate, or some vegetables.

Feeling or showing anger, hurt, or resentment

Example: She still felt bitter about the way she had been treated.
Usage: formalContext: discussing emotions and relationships
Note: Can be used to describe emotional states or attitudes towards past experiences.

Having a sharp, disagreeable, or harsh quality

Example: There was a bitter wind blowing outside.
Usage: formalContext: describing weather or environmental conditions
Note: Used to describe physical sensations or environmental factors that are unpleasant or harsh.

Bitter's synonyms

acrid

Acrid refers to a sharp and unpleasant taste or smell.
Example: The acrid taste of the medicine made it hard to swallow.
Note: Acrid specifically emphasizes a sharp and pungent quality, often associated with a burning sensation.

sour

Sour describes a taste that is acidic and sharp, often associated with citrus fruits.
Example: The lemonade was too sour for my liking.
Note: Sour typically refers to a taste that is acidic or tart, whereas bitter can encompass a wider range of unpleasant tastes.

astringent

Astringent describes a taste that is sharp, bitter, and causes a dry feeling in the mouth.
Example: The astringent flavor of the tea left a dry sensation in my mouth.
Note: Astringent often implies a taste that causes a puckering or drying sensation in the mouth, in addition to bitterness.

harsh

Harsh describes a taste that is rough, severe, or unpleasantly strong.
Example: The harsh taste of the coffee was overwhelming.
Note: Harsh can refer to a taste that is strong or overpowering, without necessarily implying bitterness.

Bitter expressions, common phrases

Bitter pill to swallow

This phrase means accepting a difficult or unpleasant situation or truth.
Example: Losing the championship was a bitter pill to swallow for the team.
Note: The phrase 'bitter pill to swallow' goes beyond the literal taste of bitterness and emphasizes the emotional difficulty of accepting something unpleasant.

Bitter sweet

This phrase describes a situation that involves both positive and negative feelings or emotions.
Example: Finishing high school was a bitter sweet moment for Sarah; she was sad to leave but excited for the future.
Note: While 'bitter' typically refers to a sour or unpleasant taste, 'bitter sweet' combines bitter (negative) and sweet (positive) to convey a complex mix of emotions.

Bitter end

This phrase refers to an unpleasant or unfortunate conclusion of a situation.
Example: The argument between the two friends reached a bitter end, and they haven't spoken since.
Note: The term 'bitter end' suggests a negative and final outcome, contrasting with the literal meaning of 'bitter' as a taste sensation.

Bitter rivalry

This phrase describes a long-standing intense competition or animosity between individuals, groups, or organizations.
Example: The bitter rivalry between the two companies led to aggressive marketing tactics.
Note: While 'bitter' conveys a sharp, unpleasant taste, 'bitter rivalry' emphasizes the hostility and antagonism in a competitive relationship.

Bitter cold

This phrase describes extremely cold weather that feels harsh and unpleasant.
Example: The wind brought bitter cold to the region, making it unbearable to be outside.
Note: In this context, 'bitter' intensifies the description of the cold weather, emphasizing its severity and discomfort rather than just the temperature.

Bitter everyday (slang) expressions

Bitterness

Refers to a resentful or acrimonious attitude or feeling.
Example: His bitterness towards his former boss was evident in his tone.
Note: While 'bitter' can denote a sharp or unpleasant taste, 'bitterness' is more about an emotional state.

Sour grapes

Refers to belittling or disparaging something that one desires but cannot have.
Example: She dismissed the award as 'sour grapes' after losing out to her rival.
Note: This term is often used to depict jealousy or envy disguised as contempt or disinterest.

Grim

Describes something harsh, grave, or unrelenting.
Example: The grim reality of the situation settled in as they realized the extent of the challenge.
Note: While 'bitter' can refer to a resentful feeling, 'grim' is more about a somber or serious tone.

Bitter - Examples

The coffee was too bitter for my taste.
She spoke with bitter disappointment.
The medicine left a bitter taste in my mouth.

Bitter grammar

Bitter - Adjective (Adjective) / Adjective (Adjective)
Lemma: bitter
Conjugations
Adjective, comparative (Adjective, comparative): bitterer
Adjective, superlative (Adjective, superlative): bitterest
Adjective (Adjective): bitter
Syllabification and Stress
bitter Contains 2 syllables: bit • ter
Phonetic transcription: ˈbi-tər
bit ter , ˈbi tər (The red syllable is stressed)

Bitter - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
bitter: ~ 1600 (Very common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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