adj
bittersweet
BIHT-sweet
adj
1
Tasting of both bitterness and sweetness at once.
"The dark chocolate had a bittersweet edge."
"She sipped the bittersweet tea slowly."
2
Bringing both happiness and sadness at the same time.
"Graduation was a bittersweet moment for the whole family."
"It was bittersweet watching her childhood home get sold."
How to Use Bittersweet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMixing something pleasant with something painful, whether in taste or in feeling.
Common pairings
a bittersweet ending
bittersweet memories
bittersweet farewell
Word Forms
more bittersweet comparative, bittersweets plural, most bittersweet superlative
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Etymology
From Middle English bitterswete, a straightforward joining of bitter and sweet.