26984 words

bite

22 definitions • 22 examples
1
to use your teeth to cut into something or someone:

Examples:

He bit into the apple.
He bites his fingernails.
2
When a fish bites, it swallows the food on the hook (= curved piece of wire) at the end of a fishing line:

Examples:

The fish aren't biting today.
3
If an insect or snake bites you, it injures you by making a small hole in your skin:

Examples:

An insect bit me on the arm.
4
to have a bad or unpleasant effect:

Examples:

5
to show interest in buying something:

Examples:

The new service is now available but clients don't seem to be biting.
6
the act of biting something:

Examples:

He took a bite (= bit a piece) out of the apple.
7
a sore place or injury where a person, an animal, or an insect has bitten you
8
the act of a fish biting the hook (= curved piece of wire) on the end of a fishing line so that it is caught
9
a small amount of food or a small meal:

Examples:

Let's have a bite to eat before we go.
They sell light bites such as hot dogs and nachos.
10
If food has bite, it has a sharp or strong taste:

Examples:

I like mustard with bite.
11

Examples:

This satire has (real) bite.
12
to use your teeth to cut into something:

Examples:

[ I/T ] He bit (into) the apple.
[ I/T ] You have to teach your children not to bite (other kids).
13
If an insect bites, it breaks the surface of the skin of a person and leaves a sore place:

Examples:

[ I ] We can’t eat outside tonight – the mosquitoes are biting.
14
A fish bites when it takes a fishing hook into its mouth:

Examples:

[ I ] We were on the lake all day, but the fish just weren’t biting.
15
to have an effect that is often unpleasant or severe:

Examples:

When the recession began to bite, people spent less on eating out in restaurants.
16
the act of using your teeth to cut and tear something, or the piece torn away:

Examples:

He took a few bites of the chicken and drank some water.
17
A bite is also a sore place on the surface of your skin made by an insect:

Examples:

18
In fishing, a bite is a fish taking a hook in its mouth.
19
to start to have a bad effect on something:

Examples:

When the credit crunch started to bite, many smaller firms were forced out of business.
Sales will slow as interest rates begin to bite.
20
the harmful effect of something:

Examples:

Homeowners need to be protected from the bite of tax increases.
21
to reduce the number or amount of something:

Examples:

The budget deficit has taken a big bite out of federal funds.
22
another spelling of

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