好词典

bitter

UK //ˈbɪtə(r)//US //ˈbɪtər//

词源

源自古英语 biter,与古高地德语 bittar 和荷兰语 bitter 同源,原始日耳曼语词根 *bitraz 可能与“咬”(bite)相关,形容尖锐或刺激的感受。

adjective

❶ 形容味道苦的,如咖啡或黑巧克力那种强烈的苦味。也比喻情感上感到痛苦或怨恨。

“The medicine has a bitter taste that makes children reluctant to take it.”

(这种药有苦味,让孩子们不愿意服用。)

“She felt bitter about losing the competition after months of hard work.”

(经过数月的努力后输掉比赛,她感到非常痛苦。)

同义词:harsh, acrid, resentful, painful, sour

noun

❶ 指苦味物质或啤酒的一种类型(如英国苦啤酒),也比喻痛苦或艰辛的经历。

“He ordered a pint of bitter at the pub.”

(他在酒吧点了一杯苦啤酒。)

“The bitters in the cocktail balance the sweetness.”

(鸡尾酒中的苦味剂平衡了甜味。)

同义词:ale, acidity, anguish, hardship

常见短语

bitter end — 指坚持到最后一刻,即使情况艰难也不放弃。常用于描述斗争或竞争。

“The team fought to the bitter end but lost by one point.”

(这支队伍奋战到最后,但仍以一分之差落败。)

bitter pill to swallow — 比喻难以接受的现实或令人不快的真相,必须勉强接受。

“Losing his job was a bitter pill to swallow.”

(失业是他不得不接受的残酷现实。)