Definition

A type of plant that belongs to the ragweed family, known for its yellow flowers and potential toxicity to animals.

Example

The farmer was concerned about the bitterweed growing in his fields because it could harm his livestock.

Conversation

Have you ever seen a plant called bitterweed?

No, I haven't. What does it look like?

It's a low-growing plant with yellow flowers, but it's actually poisonous to livestock.

That sounds dangerous! I’ll be sure to avoid it on my hikes.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Bitterweed is formed from "bitter" (from Old English "bitter", meaning having a sharp taste) and "weed" (from Old English "wēod", meaning a plant or herb). The word "bitterweed" refers to a type of plant that has a sharp or unpleasant taste.

Memory Tip

Think of the sharp taste of something 'bitter' and remember that 'bitterweed' refers to a plant with that unpleasant flavor.

Visually Confused Words