bite

About 7.31 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb To cut into something by clamping the teeth.

   As soon as you bite that sandwich, you'll know how good it is.

2. verb To hold something by clamping one's teeth.
3. verb To attack with the teeth.

   That dog is about to bite!

4. verb To behave aggressively; to reject advances.

   If you see me, come and say hello. I don't bite.

5. verb To take hold; to establish firm contact with.

   I needed snow chains to make the tires bite.

6. verb To have significant effect, often negative.

   For homeowners with adjustable rate mortgages, rising interest will really bite.

7. verb To bite a baited hook or other lure and thus be caught.

   Are the fish biting today?

8. verb To accept something offered, often secretly or deceptively, to cause some action by the acceptor.

   I've planted the story. Do you think they'll bite?

Similar words

sting chomp pungency morsel prick burn nosh snack collation sharpness

Often followed by

of the and to is into you or at

Word family

bit biter biters bites biting bitten