US /ˈbɪtəɹli/ UK /ˈbɪtəli/
adv Freq #21715

Meanings

  1. 1
    adv

    In a way that shows anger, hurt, or resentment.

    They complained bitterly about the new rules.

  2. 2
    adv

    Used to stress how strong a difficult feeling is.

    I was bitterly disappointed by my exam results.

  3. 3
    adv

    (of cold) Extremely and sharply.

    It was a bitterly cold night at the stadium.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
3 adv · (of cold) extremely and... bitterpiercingly

Etymology

From Middle English bitterli, biterli, biterliche, from Old English biterlīċe, bitterlīċe (“bitterly”), equivalent to bitter + -ly. Cognate with German Low German bitterlik (“bitterly”), German bitterlich (“bitterly”), Swedish bitterligen (“bitterly”).

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Topics

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