bitter

/ˈbɪtər/
noun
  1. A sharp, unpleasant taste or quality.
    • The bitter of the medicine was hard to swallow.
    • He could taste the bitter of the coffee even after adding cream.
    • The bitterness of the lemon made her pucker her lips.
  2. A type of strong, dark beer with a bitter flavor, made with hops.
    • He ordered a pint of bitter at the pub.
    • She prefers bitter over lager because she likes the hoppy taste.
    • Bitter is a popular beer in England.
adjective
  1. Having a sharp, unpleasant taste, like black coffee or dark chocolate.
    • She added sugar to her tea because it was too bitter.
    • The medicine had a bitter taste that made me want to spit it out.
    • Dark chocolate is often bitter, but some people love it.
  2. Feeling angry and unhappy because of a bad experience or unfair treatment.
    • After losing the game, he felt bitter toward the referee.
    • Years of disappointment had made him a bitter old man.
    • She was bitter about not getting the promotion she deserved.
  3. Very cold and unpleasant, especially wind or weather.
    • A bitter wind blew across the frozen lake.
    • The hikers struggled against the bitter cold of the mountain.
    • We stayed inside to escape the bitter winter air.
  4. Involving strong negative emotions, such as anger or resentment, often about a conflict or argument.
    • The election campaign became a bitter fight between the candidates.
    • The two families were locked in a bitter dispute over the land.
    • They went through a bitter divorce that lasted for years.
adverb
  1. In a way that shows anger or unhappiness about something.
    • She complained bitterly about the long wait.
    • They argued bitterly over who should pay the bill.
    • He wept bitterly after hearing the sad news.
  2. To an extreme or severe degree, especially with cold or unpleasant conditions.
    • It was bitterly cold outside, so we wore heavy coats.
    • The wind blew bitterly across the open field.
    • The night was bitterly dark and lonely.