how to pronounce bittersweet

/ˈbɪtɚsˌwiːt/

audio example by a male speaker

audio example by a female speaker

the above transcription of bittersweet is a detailed (narrow) transcription according to the rules of the International Phonetic Association; you can find a description of each symbol by clicking the phoneme buttons in the secction below.

bittersweet is pronounced in three syllables

press buttons with phonetic symbols to learn how to precisely pronounce each sound of bittersweet

example pitch curve for pronunciation of bittersweet

bɪtɚswt

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video examples of bittersweet pronunciation

An example use of bittersweet in a speech by a native speaker of american english:

“… up in a warm funny bittersweet film that …”

meanings of bittersweet

noun:

  1. A vine, of the genus Celastrus, having small orange fruit that open to reveal red seeds.
  2. Any variety of clam in the family Glycymerididae.
  3. Bittersweetness.
  4. Solanum dulcamara.
  5. A pinkish-orange color. Any color in between scarlet and orange.
  6. A variety of apple with a bittersweet taste.

adjective:

  1. Of bittersweet color.
  2. Expressing contrasting emotions of pain and pleasure. The break-up was very bittersweet; they both hurt to end it, but were glad it was over.
  3. Both bitter and sweet.

bittersweet frequency in english - C1 level of CEFR

the word bittersweet occurs in english on average 5.6 times per one million words; this frequency warrants it to be in the study list for C1 level of language mastery according to CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference.

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