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bite

bite

34 5.3
A sharp, strong quality in taste or smell
  • noun
  • /baɪt/
translation icon : toque picante
  • There was no wind, but the October evening had an unmistakable bite in the air.

Yeah, I was digging a little bite with that bite was a nice little slow Zing of heat.

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Examples

  • The sky was dazzling, and the air bore the crisp bite of the approaching winter.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Nick zipped up his jacket, trying to fend off the bite of November cold.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • It's got a real bite to it.

  • There was a fresh bite in the air, good sleeping weather.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • I warn you, it's got quite a bite.

  • The air had a late-fall bite to it, a hint of the winter just around the corner.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Rachel felt the bite of old envy, newly sharpened by her husband's recent coolness toward her.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • The arugula has a strong, peppery bite that enhances the flavor of the salad.

  • Her witty remarks often have a sharp bite that catches people off guard.

  • I love the spicy salsa; it has a real bite that makes it exciting to eat.

Synonyms

nip
vsbite
11 6.3

A small sharp taste or feeling, for example from cold

denotes a stronger more general stinging quality
pungency
vsbite
1 7.0

A strong sharp taste or smell that makes your eyes water

is broader and includes cold sting and keen mental effect
sharpness
vsbite
1 2.9

A strong, biting taste or smell that stings the nose

covers wider stinging sensations including cold and wit
pungence
vsbite
  • Archaic
8.7

A strong, sharp taste or smell that can be unpleasant for some people

extends to other stinging sensations beyond taste and smell
raciness
vsbite
8.2

A strong, sharp taste or smell that is easy to notice

is broader and also applies to cold or keen mental effect

Antonyms

1 4.1

A lack of strong taste in food

2.3

A blade that is not sharp

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

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 Sharp

pungency
1 7.0
sharpness
1 2.9
bite
34 5.3
mildness
1 3.3

Surface Forms

bite singular
bites plural

Etymology

Bite for a sharp taste or smell comes from the idea of being 'bitten'—from old English bītan—meaning 'to cut or sting with the teeth'. That's why we say chili or horseradish has a 'bite' when it 'stings' your mouth or nose.