How to pronounce bitter
Say it like BIT-er. Bitter has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BIT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bitter. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BIT
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bitter pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BITSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of bitter
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: BIT-uh.
What does bitter mean?
- marked by strong resentment or cynicism“an acrimonious dispute”“bitter about the divorce”
- very difficult to accept or bear“the bitter truth”“a bitter sorrow”
- harsh or corrosive in tone“an acerbic tone piercing otherwise flowery prose”“a barrage of acid comments”
- English term for a dry sharp-tasting ale with strong flavor of hops (usually on draft)
- the taste experience when quinine or coffee is taken into the mouth
- the property of having a harsh unpleasant taste
- make bitter
Where does bitter come from?
From Middle English bitter, bittre, from Old English bitter, biter (“bitter”), from Proto-West Germanic *bitr, from Proto-Germanic *bitraz (“bitter”), equivalent to bite + -er (agent noun suffix) used attributively.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with bitter
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of bitter.
Questions about saying bitter
How do you pronounce bitter?
Say BIT-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɪtɚ/. In British English it is /ˈbɪtə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bitter?
Bitter has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BIT). Broken into parts: BIT · er.
Is bitter pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈbɪtə/ (BIT-uh).