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Definition of bitter adjective from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

      

    bitter

     adjective
    adjective
    NAmE//ˈbɪt̮ər//
     
     
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  1. 1more bitter and most bitter are the usual comparative and superlative forms, but bitterest can also be used. (of arguments, disagreements, etc.) very serious and unpleasant, with a lot of anger and hatred involved a long and bitter dispute a bitter divorce
  2. 2(of people) feeling angry and unhappy because you feel that you have been treated unfairly She is very bitter about losing her job.
  3. 3[usually before noun] making you feel very unhappy; caused by great unhappiness to weep/shed bitter tears Losing the game was a bitter disappointment for the team. I've learned from bitter experience not to trust what he says.
  4. 4(of food, etc.) having a strong, unpleasant taste; not sweet Black coffee leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. compare sweet
  5. 5(of weather conditions) extremely cold and unpleasant bitter cold a bitter wind It's really bitter out today.
bitterness
 
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noun [uncountable] The pay cut caused bitterness among the staff. The flowers of the hop plant add bitterness to the beer. Thesaurusbitter
  • sour
  • pungent
  • sharp
  • acidic
  • tart
These words all describe a strong, unpleasant taste or smell.
  • bitter (of a taste or smell) strong and usually unpleasant; (of food or drink) having a bitter taste.
  • sour (of a taste) like the taste of a lemon or of fruit that is not ripe; (of food or drink) having a sour taste:Too much pulp produces a sour wine.
  • pungent (of a taste or smell) very strong, like the taste or smell of garlic or mustard:the pungent taste of onions
  • sharp (of a taste or smell) strong and biting; (of food or drink) having a sharp taste:He prefers a very sharp cheddar cheese.
  • acidic (of a taste) bitter, like the taste of lemons or vinegar; (of food or drink) having an acidic taste.
  • tart sour, but often in a pleasant way:The lemon pie is both sweet and slightly tart.
which word?
  • A bitter taste is usually unpleasant, but some people enjoy the bitter flavor of coffee or chocolate. No other word can describe this flavor. A sharp or pungent flavor is very strong and sometimes unpleasant; these words are used especially to describe cheese. Sour and acidic both describe the taste of a lemon or a fruit that is not ripe.
Patterns
  • a(n) bitter/sour/pungent/sharp/acidic/tart taste/flavor
  • a bitter/pungent/sharp smell/odor
  • a bitter/sour/sharp/tart fruit
  • pungent/sharp cheese
Idioms
a bitter pill (for somebody) (to swallow)
 
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a fact or an event that is unpleasant and difficult to accept The election defeat was a bitter pill for the party to swallow.
to/until the bitter end
 
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continuing until you have done everything you can, or until something is completely finished, despite difficulties and problems They were prepared to fight to the bitter end for their rights.See bitter in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
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