Bite Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/baɪt/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun or Verb

Definition

A sudden, brief action of the teeth, especially to wound or hurt; a small, minor hurt; a small amount or portion of something.

Examples

• A mosquito gave me a small bite.
• I took a bite out of the sandwich.

Synonyms

• Chomp
• Nibble
• Nip

Antonyms

• Caress
• Kiss

Etymology

The word “bite” comes from the Old English word “BITAN”, which means “to bite”. This word is derived from the Proto-Germanic word “*BITIZ”, which is also the source of the Modern German word “beißen”.

Usage Notes

Bite can be used as either a noun or a verb. As a noun, it refers to the act of biting or the pain caused by biting. As a verb, it means to put one’s teeth into something, usually food.

Cultural References

The phrase “to take a bite out of” something is a common idiom in English, meaning to take control of or dominate something. This phrase is often used in sports, politics, and business contexts.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Taking a bite out of, take a bite, chew the fat, bite off more than you can chew

Collocations

Bite someone, bite into, bite off, take a bite of, leave someone a bite

Frequency of Use

The word “bite” is a common and versatile word in the English language, with various meanings and uses. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts.

Common Misspellings

bight, bitey, bit