Bitter has 16 different meanings across 4 categories:
English term for a dry sharp-tasting ale with strong flavor of hops (usually on draft)
"The barman poured me a cold, bitter ale that was full of hoppy bitterness and served straight from the tap."
the taste experience when quinine or coffee is taken into the mouth
"The doctor added a splash of tonic water to make the bitter taste of the quinine easier to swallow."
the property of having a harsh unpleasant taste
"The coffee tasted bitter after sitting on the counter too long."
A liquid or powder, made from bitter herbs, used in mixed drinks or as a tonic.
"The network engineer configured a 32-bit bitter to process data in fixed-width chunks."
A hardware system whose architecture is based around units of the specified number of bits (binary digits).
In plain English: A bitter person is someone who holds onto anger and resentment about past wrongs instead of letting them go.
"The bitter was too strong for me, so I switched to tea instead."
Usage: As a noun referring to hardware architecture, "bitter" describes systems built around specific bit units. This technical usage is distinct from the common adjective meaning having an acrid taste or the liquid used in drinks.
To make bitter.
"The acerbic critic added a few stinging remarks that made the entire dinner feel bitter."
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
"an acrimonious dispute"
"bitter about the divorce"
harsh or corrosive in tone
"an acerbic tone piercing otherwise flowery prose"
"a barrage of acid comments"
"her acrid remarks make her many enemies"
"bitter words"
"blistering criticism"
"caustic jokes about political assassination, talk-show hosts and medical ethics"
"a sulfurous denunciation"
"a vitriolic critique"
proceeding from or exhibiting great hostility or animosity
"a bitter struggle"
"bitter enemies"
Having an acrid taste (usually from a basic substance).
"The unripe avocado had a distinctly bitter flavor in its flesh."
In plain English: Bitter means having an unpleasant, sharp taste that lingers on your tongue after eating something sour or acidic.
"The coffee tasted very bitter after sitting in the sun too long."
The word "bitter" comes from Old English and originally meant something that tastes sharp or pungent. Its form is linked to the verb "bite," suggesting a taste that feels like it is biting at the tongue.