BITTERSWEET

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does bittersweet mean? 

• BITTERSWEET (noun)
  The noun BITTERSWEET has 2 senses:

1. poisonous perennial Old World vine having violet flowers and oval coral-red berries; widespread weed in North America

2. twining shrub of North America having yellow capsules enclosing scarlet seeds

  Familiarity information: BITTERSWEET used as a noun is rare.

• BITTERSWEET (adjective)
  The adjective BITTERSWEET has 2 senses:

1. tinged with sadness

2. having a taste that is a mixture of bitterness and sweetness

  Familiarity information: BITTERSWEET used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BITTERSWEET (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Poisonous perennial Old World vine having violet flowers and oval coral-red berries; widespread weed in North America

Classified under:

Nouns denoting plants

Synonyms:

bittersweet; bittersweet nightshade; climbing nightshade; deadly nightshade; poisonous nightshade; Solanum dulcamara; woody nightshade

Hypernyms ("bittersweet" is a kind of...):

nightshade (any of numerous shrubs or herbs or vines of the genus Solanum; most are poisonous though many bear edible fruit)

Holonyms ("bittersweet" is a member of...):

genus Solanum; Solanum (type genus of the Solanaceae: nightshade; potato; eggplant; bittersweet)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Twining shrub of North America having yellow capsules enclosing scarlet seeds

Classified under:

Nouns denoting plants

Synonyms:

American bittersweet; bittersweet; Celastrus scandens; climbing bittersweet; false bittersweet; shrubby bittersweet; staff vine; waxwork

Hypernyms ("bittersweet" is a kind of...):

vine (a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface)

Holonyms ("bittersweet" is a member of...):

Celastrus; genus Celastrus (genus of woody vines and erect shrubs (type genus of the Celastraceae) that is native chiefly to Asia and Australia: includes bittersweet)

• BITTERSWEET (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Tinged with sadness

Context example:

a movie with a bittersweet ending

Similar:

sad (experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Having a taste that is a mixture of bitterness and sweetness

Synonyms:

bittersweet; semisweet

Similar:

tasty (pleasing to the sense of taste)