biting

[ bahy-ting ]
See synonyms for biting on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. nipping; smarting; keen: biting cold; a biting sensation on the tongue.

  2. cutting; sarcastic: a biting remark.

Origin of biting

1
First recorded in 1250–1300, biting is from the Middle English word bitynge.See bite, -ing2

Other words for biting

Other words from biting

  • bit·ing·ly, adverb
  • bit·ing·ness, noun
  • non·bit·ing, adjective
  • un·bit·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use biting in a sentence

  • Beauty, exquisiteness, serenity; but not without austerity carried to a distinct bitingness.

    Laurus Nobilis | Vernon Lee

British Dictionary definitions for biting

biting

/ (ˈbaɪtɪŋ) /


adjective
  1. piercing; keen: a biting wind

  2. sarcastic; incisive: a biting comment

Derived forms of biting

  • bitingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012