bitten: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral. Common in both spoken and written English.
Quick answer
What does “bitten” mean?
Past participle of 'bite', meaning to have used teeth to cut into or grip something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Past participle of 'bite', meaning to have used teeth to cut into or grip something; to have been affected by a stinging or sharp sensation.
Used figuratively to mean strongly affected, influenced, or consumed by something (e.g., 'bitten by the travel bug'). Can also refer to being cheated or deceived ('bitten by a bad deal').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The word form and core meaning are identical. Minor potential differences in the prevalence of certain idioms or collocations.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “bitten” in a Sentence
[Subject] has/had been bitten by [Agent/Insect].[Subject] seems bitten by [Abstract Noun] (e.g., ambition).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bitten” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He hasn't bitten anyone since he was a pup.
- Have you ever been bitten by a horsefly?
American English
- The mosquitoes have bitten us all night.
- She'd already bitten into the sandwich before realizing.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as a standard adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as a standard adverb.
adjective
British English
- She showed me the bitten biscuit.
- The bitten leaves indicated insect activity.
American English
- He had a badly bitten fingernail.
- The bitten apple turned brown quickly.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Figurative: 'The investors were bitten by the crypto crash.'
Academic
Literal in biological/medical contexts: 'The patient was bitten by a tick.'
Everyday
Literal: 'My dog has never bitten anyone.' Figurative: 'She's been bitten by the gardening bug.'
Technical
Used in computing slang: 'The system was bitten by a rare bug.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bitten”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bitten”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bitten”
- Using 'bitten' as the simple past tense (incorrect: 'He bitten me' correct: 'He bit me').
- Misspelling as 'bitten' with one 't' (correct is with double 't').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'bitten' is the past participle. The simple past tense is 'bit'.
Yes, it can function as a participial adjective, as in 'a bitten apple' or 'a badly bitten ankle'.
It means that after an unpleasant experience, you are careful to avoid a similar situation in the future.
In informal American English, 'bit' is sometimes used as the past participle (e.g., 'I've bit my tongue'), but 'bitten' remains the standard form in both dialects, especially in writing and formal speech.
Past participle of 'bite', meaning to have used teeth to cut into or grip something.
Bitten is usually neutral. common in both spoken and written english. in register.
Bitten: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɪt(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɪtn̩/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “once bitten, twice shy”
- “bitten off more than one can chew”
- “bitten by the bug”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a KITTEN that has BITTEN your mitten. The double 't' in the middle is like two tooth marks.
Conceptual Metaphor
EXPERIENCE IS PHYSICAL CONTACT (A bad experience 'bites' you). ENTHUSIASM IS A DISEASE/CREATURE (You are 'bitten' by a bug).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'bitten' correctly?