What is bite? Pronunciation and usage in English

bite means . Learn how to pronounce and use bite through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of bite

biteverb

/bʌɪt/
Definition & pronunciation of bite

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "bite." It's a little tricky because it doesn't follow typical English pronunciation rules. Here's the breakdown:

The Standard Pronunciation (Most Common):

  • IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet): /baɪt/
  • How it sounds: Think of the word "buy" (as in, "I'll buy a drink"). That's the initial sound. Then, add a very short "t" sound at the end.
  • Emphasis: The emphasis is on the first syllable ("buy").

Breaking it down:

  1. "b" sound: Pronounce the "b" as you normally would.
  2. "ai" sound: This is the tricky part. It's NOT the "a" sound as in "apple." It's a diphthong – a combination of two vowel sounds, blending smoothly together. It sounds like the "i" in "high" or "eye." Some people describe it as almost like a quick "eye" followed by a "t." Practice saying "eye" and then adding a "t" very quickly.
  3. "t" sound: A standard, sharp "t."

Tips for Practice:

  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it. Search for "how to pronounce bite" on YouTube or use a dictionary website like Merriam-Webster or Cambridge Dictionary. They often have audio pronunciations.
  • Record yourself: Record yourself saying "bite" and compare it to a native speaker’s pronunciation.
  • Start with "buy": Focus on getting the "ai" sound right by practicing words like "buy," "high," or "eye."

Common Mispronunciations:

People often pronounce "bite" like "beet" (/biːt/). This is a very common mistake! Remember the "ai" sound, like in "buy."

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you a native English speaker, or are you learning?
  • What's your first language? (Some language backgrounds can influence pronunciation.)

Usage and examples with the word bite in English

Let's break down how to use the word "bite" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with many different meanings! Here's a categorized breakdown:

1. Physical Biting (Most Literal)

  • Definition: To use your teeth to injure or damage something or someone.
  • Examples:
    • "The dog gave me a bite." (He bit me.)
    • "He received a nasty bite from a snake."
    • "Don't bite your nails!" (Don't use your teeth to damage your nails.)

2. Actions Like a Bite (Figurative)

  • Definition: To criticize, challenge, or attack someone, often sharply.
  • Examples:
    • "The reporter gave the politician a tough bite during the interview." (The reporter aggressively questioned the politician.)
    • "Her comments were a real bite." (Her words were harsh and critical.)
    • "The criticism was a necessary bite to help him improve."

3. To Consume Food (Small Amounts)

  • Definition: To take a small mouthful of something.
  • Examples:
    • "I’ll bite into the apple." (I'll take a small piece.)
    • "Could I bite of your sandwich?" (Could I have a small piece?)

4. "Bite" as a Verb for Progress or Development

  • Definition: To make slow progress or to develop gradually. (Often used in more formal contexts.)
  • Examples:
    • "The company is beginning to bite into its backlog of orders." (The company is slowly starting to fulfill its orders.)
    • "The new drug is beginning to bite on the tumor." (The drug is slowly starting to affect the tumor.)

5. "Bite" as a Noun (Related to Food)

  • Definition: A small piece of something (food).
  • Examples:
    • "He took a bite of the cake." (He took a small piece of cake.)
    • "She offered him a bite of her sandwich."

6. "Bite" as a Noun (Related to Animal Attacks)

  • Definition: The act of biting, or the wound caused by a bite.
  • Examples:
    • "The horse received a serious bite on its leg."
    • "The dentist examined the bite marks."

7. "Bite" as a Noun (Slang - to reject something)

  • Definition: To refuse to accept something, often a proposal or contract. (Informal)
  • Example:
    • "They tried to negotiate a better deal, but the company just bited the offer." (They refused to negotiate further.)

8. “Bite off more than you can chew”

  • Definition: To attempt to do too much at once; overcommit. This is an idiom using "bite”.
  • Example: “He’s trying to manage three projects at once - he’s really biting off more than he can chew.”

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more specific guidance, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you trying to use the word "bite"? (e.g., a story, a conversation, a school assignment?)

Synonyms for the word bite

Idioms of the word bite

be bitten by something
to develop a strong interest in or enthusiasm for something
  • He's been bitten by the travel bug.
bite the bullet
(informal)to start to deal with an unpleasant or difficult situation which cannot be avoided
  • I wasn’t happy with the way my career was going so I decided to bite the bullet and look for another job.
bite the dust
to fail, or to be defeated or destroyed
  • Thousands of small businesses bite the dust every year.
(humorous)to die
    bite the hand that feeds you
    to harm somebody who has helped you or supported you
      bite/snap somebody’s head off
      (informal)to shout at somebody in an angry way, especially without reason
        bite your lip
        to stop yourself from saying something or from showing an emotion
        • I bit my lip and forced myself to be calm.
        bite off more than you can chew
        to try to do too much, or something that is too difficult
          bite your tongue
          to stop yourself from saying something that might upset somebody or cause an argument, although you want to speak
          • I didn't believe her explanation but I bit my tongue.
          a/the hair of the dog (that bit you)
          (informal)alcohol that you drink in order to make you feel better when you have drunk too much alcohol the night before
            once bitten, twice shy
            (saying)after an unpleasant experience you are careful to avoid something similar

              Practice with vocabulary bite

              Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

              1. The dog gave him a playful ______ on the hand.
              2. She decided to ______ into the apple instead of cutting it.
              3. The movie’s suspenseful ending left him ______ his nails anxiously.
              4. He felt a sharp ______ in his leg after walking through the tall grass.

              Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

              1. Which word best describes the action of using teeth to cut into something?
                a) bite
                b) chew
                c) swallow
                d) lick

              2. What do you call a small piece of food taken with the teeth?
                a) morsel
                b) bite
                c) slice
                d) chunk

              3. Which of the following can describe a sudden, sharp sensation?
                a) sting
                b) bite
                c) burn
                d) scratch

              4. What is the opposite of "spit out"?
                a) chew
                b) swallow
                c) bite
                d) taste

              5. Which word refers to a strong, unpleasant flavor?
                a) bitter
                b) sour
                c) sweet
                d) bite

              Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

              1. Original: He took a small piece of the cake with his fork.
                Rewrite: He took a ______ of the cake.

              2. Original: The cold wind made her cheeks feel painful.
                Rewrite: The cold wind had a ______ effect on her cheeks.

              3. Original: The dog snapped at the stranger’s hand.
                Rewrite: The dog tried to ______ the stranger’s hand.

              Answer

              Exercise 1:

              1. bite
              2. bite
              3. biting
              4. sting

              Exercise 2:

              1. a) bite
              2. b) bite
              3. b) bite
              4. b) swallow
              5. a) bitter

              Exercise 3:

              1. He took a bite of the cake.
              2. The cold wind had a biting effect on her cheeks.
              3. The dog tried to bite the stranger’s hand.

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