Definition

1. Noun:

   • The act of using teeth to cut or grip: The action of a person or animal closing their teeth onto something.
   • A wound or mark caused by biting or stinging: An injury resulting from the teeth of an animal or the sting of an insect.
   • A small amount of food taken into the mouth: A mouthful of food or drink.
   • A sharp, pungent flavor or quality: A strong, often spicy or acidic taste or smell.
   • A sharp, critical quality in speech or writing: The incisive or caustic effect of a remark or satire.
   • In angling, a fish taking the bait: An instance where a fish attempts to eat the bait on a hook.

2. Verb:

   • To use the teeth to cut, wound, or grip: To seize, cut, or wound with the teeth.
   • To cause a sharp, stinging pain: To produce a sensation of smarting or pain, as from cold, acid, or a sting.
   • Of an insect or similar creature, to sting: To pierce the skin to suck blood or inject venom.
   • Of a tool, object, or substance, to grip or cut effectively: To take firm hold or to cut into a surface.
   • To accept a lure or trick: To be deceived or to take bait, literally or figuratively.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The dog gave a warning bite. (The dog used its teeth to grip/warn.)
  • She has a mosquito bite on her arm. (She has a mark from a mosquito sting.)
  • He took a big bite of the sandwich. (He took a large mouthful of the sandwich.)
  • This chili has a real bite to it. (This chili has a sharp, hot flavor.)
  • Her criticism lacked bite. (Her criticism was not sharp or effective.)
  • I waited for hours without a single bite. (I waited for a fish to take the bait.)

• Verb:

  • Be careful, that parrot might bite. (Be careful, that parrot might use its teeth to hurt.)
  • The cold wind bit into my cheeks. (The cold wind caused a stinging pain on my cheeks.)
  • A spider bit him while he was gardening. (A spider stung him.)
  • The new drill bites into the metal easily. (The new drill cuts/grips the metal effectively.)
  • He refused to bite when they offered the dubious deal. (He refused to be tricked by the offer.)

Advanced Usage

• "to bite one's tongue/lip": To stop oneself from speaking, often to avoid saying something angry or inappropriate.
  • I had to bite my tongue during the argument.
• "to bite the bullet": To endure a painful or difficult situation bravely.
  • We'll just have to bite the bullet and finish the project.
• "to bite off more than one can chew": To take on a task that is too big or difficult.
  • By accepting three major projects, she bit off more than she could chew.
• "to bite the dust": To fall down, to be defeated, or to stop working.
  • Another competitor bit the dust in the semifinals.
• "Once bitten, twice shy" (Idiom): After an unpleasant experience, one is cautious to avoid a similar one.
  • He won't invest in stocks again—once bitten, twice shy.

Variants and Related Words

• Biter (n): A person or animal that bites.
• Biting (adj): Sharp, severe, or sarcastic.
• Bitten (v): Past participle of 'bite'.

Synonyms

• Noun: Nip, sting, morsel, mouthful, pungency, sharpness.
• Verb: Chew, gnaw, nip, sting, smart, burn.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Bite back:
  • To retaliate verbally. She bit back a sharp reply.
  • To suppress or hold back (words, emotions). He bit back his tears.
• Bite into:
  • To sink teeth into something. She bit into the apple.
  • To reduce or consume a resource. Taxes are biting into our savings.
• Bite off: To remove by biting.

Related Idioms

• His bark is worse than his bite: Someone is not as aggressive or dangerous as they seem.
• Put the bite on someone (informal): To ask someone for money, especially as a loan or gift.

Noun

1. a portion removed from the whole
   • the government's weekly bite from my paycheck
2. the act of gripping or chewing off with the teeth and jaws
3. a strong odor or taste property
   • the pungency of mustard
   • the sulfurous bite of garlic
   • the sharpness of strange spices
   • the raciness of the wine
4. wit having a sharp and caustic quality
   • he commented with typical pungency
   • the bite of satire
5. (angling) an instance of a fish taking the bait
   • after fishing for an hour he still had not had a bite
6. a light informal meal
7. a painful wound caused by the thrust of an insect's stinger into skin
8. a small amount of solid food; a mouthful
   • all they had left was a bit of bread
9. a wound resulting from biting by an animal or a person

Verb

1. deliver a sting to
   • A bee stung my arm yesterday
2. penetrate or cut, as with a knife
   • The fork bit into the surface
3. cause a sharp or stinging pain or discomfort
   • The sun burned his face
4. to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws
   • Gunny invariably tried to bite her