Bittersweet
/ˌbɪtərˈswiːt/adjective
Having both joy and sadness at the same time.
Graduation was a bittersweet experience. It was happy because it marks the end of a stage in life, but sad because students will say goodbye to friends and teachers.
Often appears as...
- bittersweet experience
- bittersweet moment
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Complexity
Reflects feelings of happiness and sadness mixed together in a complex way.
Her farewell was bittersweet, joyful for the new opportunities but sad for the parting.
Pro Tip 2/3Transition Phases
Often used when talking about life transitions that are both positive and hard.
Leaving home for university has a bittersweet quality.
Pro Tip 3/3Reflective Mood
Suggests a mood of reflecting on the past with both fondness and a touch of sorrow.
Seeing old photos can stir up bittersweet memories.
Compare with
ambivalentcomplexcontradictoryironymelancholicmixnostalgicpoignant
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