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to bite

to bite

92 3.1
To cause a sharp, stinging pain, often from cold or wind
  • verb
  • /baɪt/
translation icon : morder
  • The cold wind can really bite your skin during the winter months.
  • biting cold
  • begin to bite

Examples

Synonyms

to burn
vsto bite
706 1.8

To feel a hot, stinging pain after heat or chemicals

is focused on sharp sudden hurt from cold wind or objects
to sting
vsto bite
91 2.3

To feel a sharp, sudden pain like an insect bite

is more general, also caused by cold wind or a sharp object
to pain
vsto bite
9 1.1

To make someone feel physical hurt

is specifically sharp and often sudden rather than general discomfort
to prickle
vsto bite
4 4.0

Cause a small stinging or tingling feeling on the skin

is stronger and describes a single sharp piercing injury

Antonyms

172 1.0

To make someone feel less upset or in pain

166 2.3

Make pain, stress, or worry less

Idioms

25 1.0

A small piece of food taken from a larger serving

12 5.8

To face a difficult or unpleasant situation bravely

to bite the dust
  • Informal
11 6.8

To stop working or fail completely

bite me
  • Offensive
10 9.9

A rude phrase people use to tell someone you are annoyed and do not care

To harm someone who helps you

2 3.1

To eat or swallow something in a single mouthful

1 6.1

Stop yourself from saying something you want to say because it would be rude

1 6.1

Talks in a threatening way but does not act

1 9.9

To fail badly and lose something important

I'll bite
  • Informal
1 9.9

A phrase that says you are willing to hear more, often when not sure

bite my ass
  • Offensive
9.9

A rude, angry reply that shows you do not care what someone says

9.9

A rude, joking phrase to tell someone to go away

to bite one's ass
  • Offensive
9.9

Tell someone angrily to go away using rude words

6.1

Pressing your lips together to keep from laughing or saying something

A playful goodnight wish hoping someone has good dreams

To finish a very large task by doing small easy steps

To wish someone a good night as a joke

Phrasal Verbs

To eat a small piece of food or reduce something a little

to grab a bite
  • Informal
30 2.9

Eat a quick meal when you are busy or in a hurry

Eat a small amount of food as a quick snack

13 3.5

To press the teeth firmly together to help you stand pain or stay focused

12 2.1

To remove a piece from something using the teeth

12 6.8

To have problems later because of something you did before

To chew your nails when you feel nervous

to bite out
  • Informal
7.5

Say something suddenly and sharply when angry or annoyed

Compounds

sound bite
  • Literature
53 4.0

A short part of a recorded statement on radio or television, often by a politician

bite to eat
  • Informal
37 1.8

A small quick meal or snack

20 1.0

A single piece of food you put into your mouth at once

10 1.0

A small red itchy bump on the skin from a mosquito

5 1.0

An injury when a dog's teeth break the skin

4 2.5

A small itchy or painful mark on the skin caused by an insect

bite plate
  • Specialized
1 6.3

A small removable piece of plastic that fits on the roof of the mouth to help the teeth or jaw

love bite
  • NSFW
1 7.4

A temporary mark on the skin made by kissing or sucking

1 5.8

The part of your pay the government takes

A bite that puts poison into the body and can hurt or kill

flea bite
  • Informal
5.3

A very small problem that is not important compared to bigger ones

2.5

A small red itchy spot on the skin caused by a flea

7.6

A small itchy mark on the skin caused by tiny insects called no-see-ums

How Painful

to sear
76 6.1
to pierce
110 3.5
to bite
92 3.1
sting
64 1.4
to prick
14 4.7

Surface Forms

bite infinitive
biting present participle
bites third person singular
bit past
bitten past participle

Etymology

Bite meaning the cold or wind that 'stings' you comes from the same old English word bītan meaning 'to cut with the teeth'. So when weather 'bites', it feels like a sharp, painful touch, similar to a bite.