biting

/ˈbaɪtɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbaɪtɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbī-tiŋ/ (ame, mw)

biting — adjective

  • bitingpositive
  • more bitingcomparative
  • most bitingsuperlative

1. describes weather or wind that feels painfully cold, as if the cold is cutting i

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes weather or wind that feels painfully cold, as if the cold is cutting into your skin or making your body hurt

例句

A biting wind swept through the streets, forcing everyone to wrap their scarves tightly around their necks.

collocation: biting wind

Yuki pulled her coat closer as the biting cold of the morning air made her cheeks turn red.

collocation: biting cold

同義詞
  • freezing

    more general, can describe any very cold temperature

  • bitter

    very similar to 'biting', often used with 'cold' or 'wind'

  • piercing

    emphasises the sharp, painful quality of cold air or wind

反義詞
  • mild

    describes pleasantly warm or not-cold weather

  • gentle

    describes a soft, pleasant breeze rather than a harsh one

用法筆記

Almost always used before the noun it describes (attributive position), as in 'biting wind' or 'biting cold'. Less common in predicative position ('The wind is biting' is possible but less frequent).

常見錯誤

❌The biting hot sun made us sweat.
✅The biting cold wind made us shiver.
💡'biting' is only used for extreme cold, not heat.

2. describes a remark, comment, or tone that is deliberately harsh and unkind, inte

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describes a remark, comment, or tone that is deliberately harsh and unkind, intended to hurt someone's feelings or to show strong disapproval

例句

The film critic's biting review described the movie as a complete waste of time and talent.

collocation: biting review

Dr. Osei made a biting comment about the quality of the report, and everyone in the room fell silent.

collocation: biting comment

同義詞
  • caustic

    more formal, often describes remarks that are deeply sarcastic or bitter

  • scathing

    stronger than 'biting', suggests total rejection or severe condemnation

  • cutting

    very close in meaning; 'cutting remark' and 'biting remark' are nearly interchangeable

反義詞

用法筆記

Common with nouns describing speech or writing: 'remark', 'comment', 'criticism', 'satire', 'review', 'tone'. The word is more formal and literary than simply saying 'unkind' or 'mean'.

常見錯誤

❌She gave me a biting look.
✅She gave me a sharp look.
💡'biting' is used for words and tone, not for facial expressions or glances.
❌His biting joke made everyone laugh.
✅His biting joke made some people laugh and others feel uncomfortable.
💡'biting' jokes are not purely funny; they have a cruel edge.