Bite Word Meaning

Old English bītan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch bijten and German beissen

(of a person or animal) use the teeth to cut into or through something

use teeth to eat

• he bit off a piece of cheese
• Rosa bit into a cupcake
• babies learn to bite and chew about halfway through their first year

(of a fish) take the bait or lure on the end of a fishing line into the mouth

take bait

• I marvel at how easily and eagerly a chub will bite

make firm contact with a surface

grip surface

• the brake pads don't bite until they're warmed up
• once on the slab, my boots failed to bite

(of a policy or situation) take effect, with unpleasant consequences

take effect

• the cuts in art education were starting to bite

an act of biting something in order to eat it

act of biting in order to eat

• Stephen ate a hot dog in three big bites

a piece cut off by biting

piece bitten off

• Robyn took a large bite out of her sandwich

a sharp or pungent flavour

sharp flavour

• a fresh, lemony bite