bitterness Definition

bitter
adj bitterer, bitterest

1. Having a sharp, acid and often unpleasant taste. Compare salt, sour, sweet, smooth.

Thesaurus: acrid, tart, sour, astringent, vinegary; Antonym: sweet.
2. Feeling or causing sadness or pain.

Example: bitter memories
3. Difficult to accept.

Example: a bitter disappointment
Thesaurus: harsh, sharp, severe, painful, intense.
4. Showing an intense persistent feeling of dislike, hatred or opposition.

Example: bitter resentment
5. Said of words, etc: sharp; acrimonious.

Thesaurus: sarcastic, caustic, acid, biting, acerbic; galling, hostile, resentful, rancorous; Antonym: genial.
6. Said of the weather, etc: extremely and painfully cold.

noun

(Brit)
1. A type of beer with a slightly bitter taste, strongly flavoured with hops. Compare mild noun.

Derivative: bitterly

In a bitter manner, especially with fierce resentment.

Extremely; painfully.
Example: bitterly cold

Derivative: bitterness
noun

Idiom: a bitter pill to swallow

Something difficult or unpleasant to accept, such as an unwelcome fact.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon biter, from bitan to bite.