having a sharp taste that is usu more disagreeable than sourness and that is one of the four basic taste sensations: compare salt3, sour1, sweet1
intense or severe
a bitter struggle
strongly opposed to one another
bitter enemies
harsh and sarcastic; showing or stemming from great dislike or resentment
bitter contempt
bitter remarks
very cold
a bitter winter
characterized by or causing severe grief or regret
expressive of severe grief or regret
bitter tears
causing great grief, distress, or regret
But O, how bitter a thing it is to look into happiness through another man's eyes — Shakespeare
bitterish adj
bitterly adv
bitterness noun
[Old English biter; related to Old English bītan to bite1]