Bittersweet: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ˜ข๐Ÿ˜„
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bittersweet

 

[ หŒbษชtษ™rหˆswit ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

emotional experience

Bittersweet describes an emotional experience that encompasses both happiness and sadness simultaneously. It often refers to memories or situations that evoke feelings of joy intertwined with a pang of sorrow. The complexity of bittersweet moments reflects the duality of human emotions, capturing the essence that joy can exist alongside pain. This term is frequently used in literature and music to convey themes of nostalgia or the passage of time.

Synonyms

melancholic, mixed, poignant

Examples of usage

  • The movie had a bittersweet ending.
  • She felt a bittersweet happiness at graduation.
  • The song captured the bittersweet feeling of lost love.

Translations

Translations of the word "bittersweet" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น agridulce

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เคกเคผเคตเคพ เคฎเฅ€เค เคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช bitter-sรผรŸ

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ pahit manis

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะณั–ั€ะบะพ-ัะพะปะพะดะบะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ gorzko-sล‚odki

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใปใ‚่‹ฆใ„ (horonigai)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท amer-doux

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ agridulce

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท acฤฑ tatlฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์“ด ๋‹ฌ์ฝคํ•œ (sseun dalkomhan)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ูุฑู‘ ุญูŽู„ูˆ (murr halu)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ hoล™kosladkรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ horkosladkรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่‹ฆ็”œ (kว” tiรกn)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ grenko-sladek

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ bitter-sweet

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐั‰ั‹-ั‚ำ™ั‚ั‚ั–

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒขแƒ™แƒ˜แƒ•แƒ˜แƒšแƒ˜ แƒ“แƒ แƒขแƒ™แƒ‘แƒ˜แƒšแƒ˜ (tk'ivili da tk'bili)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ acฤฑ-ลŸirin

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ agridulce

Word origin

The word 'bittersweet' is a compound adjective formed from two contrasting terms: 'bitter' and 'sweet'. The etymology of 'bitter' can be traced back to Old English 'biter', which is related to the Proto-Germanic *bitera and ultimately the Proto-Indo-European root *bheid-, meaning 'to split or break'. This term has long been associated with a harsh or unpleasant taste. 'Sweet', in contrast, originates from Old English 'swete' and shares roots with the Proto-Germanic *swลth and Proto-Indo-European *swad-, meaning 'pleasant, agreeable, or good'. The combination of these two words created 'bittersweet', which emerged in English during the 14th century primarily to describe the taste of certain foods that elicit both pleasurable and sharp flavors. Over time, 'bittersweet' evolved to capture complex emotional states and experiences that resonate with people in literary and artistic contexts, illustrating the intricacies of human feelings.