Definition

A substance that has a sharp, unpleasant taste, often used in making beer or other beverages.

Example

The brewer added a bittering agent to enhance the flavor of the beer.

Conversation

Have you ever tried beer with a hint of bittering?

I think I’ve heard about it, but I’ve never tasted it.

It’s interesting how it changes the flavor profile, really.

I should give it a shot — I like trying new drinks!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Bittering → It is formed from "bitter" (from Old English "biter", meaning having a sharp taste) and "-ing" (a suffix used to form nouns indicating an action or process). The word "bittering" refers to the process of becoming bitter or the state of being bitter.

Memory Tip

Think of the sharp taste of something 'bitter' — the '-ing' indicates the process, so 'bittering' means the process of becoming bitter.

Visually Confused Words