Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

bitter end

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.20 in modern English

Syllables
bit-ter end
IPA
12
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
2
Syllables
7
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

That part of an anchor cable which is abaft the bitts and thus remains inboard when a ship is riding at anchor.

noun

The final six fathoms (11 m) of anchor chain before the point of attachment in the chain locker of modern US naval vessels.

noun

The end of a long and difficult process.

Example Sentences

Etymology

The figurative usage is influenced by bitter (“unpleasant, arduous”). Indeed, the phrase has been reinterpreted by most today as bitter + end—compare bitter cold.

Inflected Forms

bitter ends (plural)

Phrases

bitter-ender fight to the finish last gasp the end of one's rope until the bitter end to the bitter end to the bitter end and beyond

Frequently Paired Words

bitts fight to the finish last gasp the end of one's rope until the bitter end to the bitter end to the bitter end and beyond

Questions

What does bitter end mean?
That part of an anchor cable which is abaft the bitts and thus remains inboard when a ship is riding at anchor.
Where does bitter end come from?
The figurative usage is influenced by bitter (“unpleasant, arduous”). Indeed, the phrase has been reinterpreted by most today as bitter + end—compare bitter cold.

How to pronounce bitter end

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “bitter end”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “bitter end”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “bitter end” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.