This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 noun and verb #38 most common 16 min read

bites

Top 38

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips bites in 30 Seconds

Explanation bites in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'bites' is a simple word used to talk about eating and animals. As a verb, we use it to say what an animal does with its teeth. For example, 'The dog bites the ball.' It is important to remember the 's' at the end when we talk about one person or one animal (he, she, it). As a noun, 'bites' means more than one 'bite.' If you eat a sandwich, you take many bites. You might say, 'I took three bites of my apple.' This is a very basic way to use the word. You will also see it in pictures of food or in stories about pets. It is one of the first words you learn to describe how we eat. You should focus on the physical action: using teeth to cut food. Don't worry about the difficult meanings yet. Just remember: one bite, two bites, and 'he bites.'

At the A2 level, you start to use 'bites' in more common daily situations. You might talk about 'insect bites' like mosquito bites. If you go outside in the summer, you can say, 'I have many mosquito bites on my legs.' This is a very useful phrase. You also use 'bites' to talk about small amounts of food. In a cafe, you might see 'quick bites' on the menu. This means small snacks like a cookie or a small sandwich. You are also learning to use it in the third person singular correctly. For example, 'My cat never bites.' You are becoming more comfortable with the difference between the noun (the marks on your skin or the pieces of food) and the verb (the action). You might also hear the phrase 'bite-sized,' which means something is small enough to eat in one go. This is a common adjective for snacks.

At the B1 level, you can use 'bites' in more flexible ways, including some common idioms and informal expressions. You understand that 'bites' can describe a sharp sensation, like 'The cold wind bites my face.' You are also introduced to the informal slang 'it bites,' which means something is bad or disappointing. For example, 'I lost my keys; that really bites!' You can use the word in the context of hobbies like fishing, where 'getting bites' means the fish are trying to eat the bait. You are also expected to use the word correctly in more complex sentences, such as 'He bites his lip when he is worried,' which describes a habit. You should also be able to distinguish 'bites' from similar-sounding words like 'bits' or 'bytes' in writing. This level is about moving from literal eating to describing feelings and situations.

At the B2 level, you use 'bites' to describe mechanical actions and more abstract concepts. You might say a tool 'bites into the wood,' meaning it has a good grip. You understand the word in a professional or academic context, such as 'The new tax law bites into the savings of middle-class families,' where 'bites' means to have a negative or sharp effect. You are comfortable with idioms like 'bites off more than one can chew' (taking on too much work) or 'bites the dust' (failing or dying). You can also use 'bites' to describe a style of communication, like 'biting sarcasm' or 'biting remarks,' which means the words are sharp and perhaps hurtful. Your vocabulary is now sophisticated enough to choose 'bites' over 'eats' or 'cuts' to provide a more vivid and precise description of an action or its impact.

At the C1 level, you have a nuanced understanding of 'bites' and its various registers. You can use it in literary descriptions to evoke strong sensory images, such as 'the biting winter air' or 'the acid bites into the metal plate.' You understand the subtle differences between 'bites' and its synonyms like 'gnaws,' 'nips,' or 'chomps,' and you choose the one that fits the tone of your writing perfectly. You are also aware of the word's use in media and politics, such as 'soundbites,' and how these short clips can influence public opinion. You can engage in wordplay and understand puns involving 'bites' and 'bytes.' Your use of the word is effortless, whether you are writing a formal report on the economic 'bite' of a recession or a creative story about a character who 'bites their tongue' to avoid saying something rude.

At the C2 level, you master the most subtle and rare uses of 'bites.' You might use it in legal or forensic contexts to discuss 'bite marks' as evidence. You understand the historical etymology of the word and how its meaning has shifted over centuries. You can use 'bites' in highly metaphorical ways, perhaps in a philosophical discussion about how time 'bites' away at our memories. You are also sensitive to the rhythmic and phonetic qualities of the word in poetry or high-level rhetoric. You can navigate the most complex idiomatic landscapes, using 'bites' in phrases that are less common but highly expressive. For a C2 speaker, 'bites' is not just a word for eating; it is a versatile tool for describing any sharp, incisive, or impactful interaction between two entities, whether physical, emotional, or abstract.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

bites in 30 Seconds

Bites is a word used for the action of teeth or small portions of food. It works as both a verb and a noun.
As a verb, it follows singular subjects like 'he' or 'it'. As a noun, it refers to multiple pieces or marks.
It is commonly used in cooking (small bites), nature (insect bites), and informal slang (it bites/it's bad).
Mastering 'bites' helps you describe physical actions, social eating, and emotional frustrations in everyday English conversation.

The word bites is a versatile English term that functions both as a plural noun and a third-person singular verb. At its most fundamental level, it describes the physical action of using teeth to cut, grip, or pierce. However, its usage extends far beyond the biological realm into culinary, mechanical, and even emotional contexts. When we speak of the physical act, we are often referring to the way animals or humans interact with food or their environment. For instance, a dog bites a bone, or a child takes several small bites of an apple. This physical interaction is the cornerstone of the word's meaning, rooted in the necessity of consumption and defense. In the culinary world, 'bites' has evolved to represent a specific style of dining. We often hear about 'small bites' or 'light bites,' which refers to appetizers, snacks, or hors d'oeuvres designed to be consumed in one or two mouthfuls. This usage highlights the social aspect of eating, where the focus is on variety and conversation rather than a heavy, singular meal.

Biological Action: The process where an organism uses its mandibles or teeth to exert pressure on an object, often resulting in penetration or fragmentation.
Culinary Portion: Small, individual servings of food that are meant to be eaten quickly, often served at parties or as snacks.

Beyond the literal, bites takes on a metaphorical life. In informal English, particularly in North American slang, the phrase 'it bites' is used to express that a situation is unpleasant, disappointing, or unfair. This usage likely stems from the sharp, stinging sensation of a physical bite, translated into emotional or situational pain. For example, if a planned trip is canceled due to rain, one might say, 'That really bites.' Furthermore, in the world of fishing, 'bites' refers to the moment a fish takes the bait, a crucial term for any angler. Mechanically, we might say a tool 'bites' into a surface, meaning it has successfully gripped or started to cut into the material. This variety of applications makes 'bites' a high-frequency word that learners must master to navigate both formal descriptions and casual conversations effectively.

The mosquito bites anyone who enters the garden after sunset.

In technical and scientific contexts, 'bites' can describe the way gears mesh or the way a chemical substance corrodes a surface. The 'bite' of an acid refers to its corrosive power. In the arts, a 'biting' remark is one that is sharp, witty, and perhaps a bit cruel. The plural noun 'bites' is also used in the context of sound or video, though usually spelled 'soundbites,' referring to short, catchy segments of a speech or interview. This evolution from a physical action to a description of intensity and brevity shows the word's flexibility. Whether you are describing a shark's attack, a tasty snack, or a frustrating day, 'bites' provides the linguistic tools to convey sharp, impactful experiences. Understanding the nuance between the verb 'he bites' and the noun 'three bites' is essential for grammatical accuracy, especially for B1 level learners who are beginning to handle more complex sentence structures and idiomatic expressions.

Historically, the word has deep roots in Germanic languages, connecting us to the ancient concept of 'splitting' or 'cleaving.' This sense of separation is still present when we think of a bite as a piece taken out of a whole. In modern digital culture, though spelled differently, the homophone 'bytes' is omnipresent, often leading to puns and wordplay. However, in standard vocabulary, 'bites' remains firmly grounded in the physical and the immediate. It is a word of action, sensation, and portion. From the 'bites' of a cold wind on a winter morning to the 'bites' of a delicious dessert, the word captures moments of contact and consumption that are universal to the human experience. As you progress in your English journey, pay attention to how 'bites' is used to describe not just the act of eating, but the 'grip' a situation or an object has on reality.

Using bites correctly requires a clear understanding of its grammatical function in a sentence. As a verb, it is the third-person singular form of 'to bite.' This means it follows subjects like 'he,' 'she,' 'it,' or singular nouns. For example, 'The dog bites the mailman' or 'She bites her nails when she is nervous.' In these cases, 'bites' acts as the primary action. It is important to note that 'bites' is an active verb, often requiring an object (the thing being bitten), though it can sometimes stand alone in specific idiomatic contexts. For instance, in the sentence 'The cold wind bites,' the verb describes the sharp sensation of the temperature against the skin without needing a direct object. This metaphorical use is common in descriptive writing to evoke a physical feeling of discomfort or sharpness.

Verb Usage (Subject-Verb Agreement): The cat bites its toy. (Singular subject 'cat' + 'bites')
Noun Usage (Plurality): I took four bites of the cake. (Plural noun referring to portions)

As a noun, bites refers to multiple instances of the act of biting or multiple small portions of food. This is common in social settings. You might hear a host say, 'We have some light bites on the table,' inviting guests to help themselves to snacks. In a medical or biological context, 'bites' refers to the wounds left by insects or animals. 'He has several mosquito bites on his arm' is a standard way to describe the result of insect activity. Here, 'bites' is a countable noun, and its plural form is used because there is more than one mark. This distinction is vital for learners: use the singular 'bite' for one instance and 'bites' for two or more. This applies whether you are talking about food, injuries, or the 'grip' of a tool.

He only took two bites of his dinner before saying he was full.

In more advanced usage, 'bites' appears in various phrasal structures and idioms. 'Bites off more than one can chew' is a classic idiom meaning to take on a task that is too big. While 'bites' is the verb here, the entire phrase functions as a single unit of meaning. Another common informal use is the expression 'it bites,' which serves as a complete sentence or a predicate. 'My computer crashed again; it really bites.' In this case, 'it' is a dummy subject referring to the situation. Learners should also be aware of the difference between 'bites' and 'bits.' While they sound similar, 'bits' refers to small pieces of something (often broken), whereas 'bites' specifically implies the action of teeth or a portion sized for a mouth. 'There are bits of glass on the floor' vs 'There are small bites of cheese on the plate.'

When writing, consider the tone. 'Bites' as a verb can be quite aggressive or clinical, while as a noun in a culinary context, it sounds inviting and light. In professional writing, you might use 'bites' to describe the effectiveness of a policy or a sharp critique: 'The new regulation bites into the profits of large corporations.' This metaphorical 'bite' suggests a significant and perhaps painful impact. In contrast, in a children's story, you might use 'bites' to describe a puppy's playful behavior. The context always dictates the emotional weight of the word. Practice by writing sentences that use 'bites' as both a verb and a noun to get a feel for the shift in grammatical role. For example: 'Every time the fish bites, the fisherman records the number of bites he gets in an hour.'

The word bites is ubiquitous in daily life, appearing in environments ranging from the kitchen to the great outdoors. One of the most common places you will encounter this word is in a restaurant or at a social gathering. Menus often have a section labeled 'Small Bites' or 'Quick Bites.' This is a modern culinary trend focusing on tapas-style dishes or appetizers. If you are at a party, the host might say, 'Please, have some bites; they are freshly made.' In this context, the word sounds sophisticated and appetizing. It suggests a variety of flavors without the commitment of a full meal. You'll also hear it in casual conversation among friends when someone is hungry but doesn't want a large dinner: 'Let's just grab some quick bites at the bar.'

In the Kitchen: 'The recipe says to cut the dough into bite-sized pieces so it cooks evenly.'
In Nature: 'Be careful near the tall grass; that's where the spiders and ticks are, and their bites can be itchy.'

Another frequent setting for 'bites' is in the context of health and nature. During the summer, the topic of 'insect bites' is a common conversation starter. You might hear someone complain, 'The mosquito bites are driving me crazy!' or ask for advice, 'What's the best cream for spider bites?' In these scenarios, 'bites' is used to describe the physical mark or the irritation caused by an insect. Similarly, in a more serious tone, news reports might mention 'animal bites' or 'snake bites' when discussing public safety or wildlife encounters. In these cases, the word carries a sense of urgency and medical concern. It is a practical, descriptive term that everyone needs to know for basic health communication.

'The fish aren't taking any bites today, so we might as well head home,' sighed the fisherman.

In the world of sports and hobbies, particularly fishing, 'bites' is a technical term. Anglers talk about 'getting a bite' or how many 'bites' they had during the day. It refers to the fish nibbling or taking the hook. You might hear a commentator on a fishing show say, 'The bass are really active; we're seeing a lot of bites this morning.' This usage is specific but very common in that community. Furthermore, in informal settings, you'll hear 'bites' used as a verb to express frustration. If a student fails a test, a friend might say, 'Man, that really bites.' This is a very common idiomatic expression in American English, used to show empathy for a bad situation. It's informal, so you won't hear it in a business meeting, but you'll hear it constantly in movies, TV shows, and high school hallways.

Lastly, you might encounter 'bites' in the world of technology and media, though often as part of a compound word. 'Soundbites' are short clips from a longer recording, often used in news broadcasts to summarize a person's point. While the word 'bites' is the base, the meaning shifts to 'a small piece of information.' In a marketing meeting, someone might say, 'We need some good soundbites for the social media campaign.' This highlights the modern trend toward brevity and 'snackable' content. Whether it's a physical bite of food, a painful insect bite, or a metaphorical bite of bad luck, the word is deeply embedded in how English speakers describe their interactions with the world around them.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with bites involves subject-verb agreement. Because 'bites' ends in 's,' many students mistakenly think it is a plural verb. In English, however, adding an 's' to a verb usually makes it the third-person singular (he/she/it). For example, a student might say, 'The dogs bites the ball.' This is incorrect because 'dogs' is plural, so the verb should be 'bite.' The correct form is 'The dog bites' (singular) or 'The dogs bite' (plural). This is a fundamental rule of English grammar that often trips up learners who are used to plural nouns ending in 's.' Remembering that the 's' on a verb indicates a singular subject is key to avoiding this common error.

Incorrect Agreement: 'They bites the sandwich.' (Wrong) -> 'They bite the sandwich.' (Correct)
Homophone Confusion: 'The computer has 8 bites.' (Wrong) -> 'The computer has 8 bytes.' (Correct)

Another common pitfall is the confusion between 'bites' and its homophone 'bytes.' While they sound identical, 'bytes' is a unit of digital information in computing. Writing 'I took a few bytes of my lunch' would imply you were eating computer data! Similarly, writing 'The file is 500 bites long' is a spelling error. While this mistake is mostly relevant in writing, it's important for learners to keep the two concepts distinct in their minds. Additionally, some learners confuse 'bites' with 'bits.' While both can refer to small amounts, 'bites' specifically implies something related to eating or the action of teeth. 'Bits' is more general and refers to small pieces or fragments of anything. You wouldn't say 'mosquito bits' unless the mosquito was literally in pieces; you would say 'mosquito bites.'

Common Error: 'He bite the apple.' Correction: 'He bites the apple.'

Pronunciation can also be a challenge. The 's' in 'bites' is pronounced as a /s/ sound because it follows the voiceless /t/ sound. Some learners might mistakenly pronounce it as a /z/ sound, which is common for many plural nouns and singular verbs (like 'dogs' /z/ or 'runs' /z/). However, in 'bites,' the /ts/ cluster is sharp and voiceless. Practice saying 'cats' and 'bites' together to get the sound right. Furthermore, in the idiomatic expression 'it bites,' learners sometimes forget the 'it.' Saying 'That bites' is correct, but simply saying 'Bites' as a reaction is less common and might sound like you are just naming the action. Always include the subject to make the idiom clear.

Finally, there is the confusion between 'bites' and 'beats.' In some accents, these can sound similar, but they have completely different meanings. 'Beats' refers to hitting something or the rhythm of music. 'The heart beats' vs 'The dog bites.' Confusing these can lead to very strange sentences. For example, 'The music bites' would mean the music is bad (using the slang), whereas 'The music beats' would refer to its rhythm. Being mindful of the vowel sound—the long /i:/ in 'beats' versus the diphthong /ai/ in 'bites'—is essential for clear communication. By paying attention to these grammatical, spelling, and phonetic details, you can use 'bites' with confidence and precision.

When you want to describe the action of using teeth or a small portion of food, bites is a great word, but there are many alternatives that can add more color and precision to your English. If you are talking about eating small amounts, you might use nibbles. A 'nibble' is a very small, gentle bite, often associated with mice or someone who isn't very hungry. For example, 'She took a few nibbles of the cracker.' On the other end of the spectrum, if someone is eating aggressively or taking large, messy bites, you might use chomps. 'He chomps on his food so loudly!' This word is much more descriptive and carries a slightly negative or informal tone. Understanding these nuances helps you choose the right word for the right situation.

Nibbles vs. Bites: 'Nibbles' are tiny and delicate; 'bites' are standard and functional.
Gnaws vs. Bites: 'Gnaws' implies a persistent, repetitive biting, like a dog with a bone.

In a culinary context, instead of 'small bites,' you could use morsels or snacks. 'Morsels' sounds a bit more elegant or literary, often used to describe delicious or high-quality food. 'He savored every morsel of the truffle.' 'Snacks' is the most common and general term for food eaten between meals. If you are at a fancy event, you might hear the term canapés or appetizers. These are specific types of 'bites' served before a meal. Using these specific terms shows a higher level of vocabulary and a better understanding of social contexts. For instance, you wouldn't call a bag of potato chips 'canapés,' but you could call them 'quick bites' or 'snacks.'

Instead of saying 'The dog bites the wood,' you could say 'The dog gnaws on the wood' to show it's doing it for a long time.

When using 'bites' as a verb to describe an animal's action, snaps is a good alternative if the action is quick and sudden. 'The crocodile snaps its jaws shut.' This conveys a sense of speed and danger that 'bites' might not fully capture. If the biting is part of a fight, you might use nips for a small, quick bite, often used to describe a puppy's behavior or a playful interaction. 'The puppy nips at my heels.' This is much less aggressive than 'bites.' In a metaphorical sense, if something 'bites' (is bad), you could use stinks or sucks (very informal). 'This weather really stinks.' These alternatives help you match your language to the level of formality and the specific emotion you want to convey.

Finally, consider the word stings when talking about insects. While we say 'mosquito bites,' we usually say 'bee stings' because bees use a stinger, not teeth. Confusing these two is a common mistake. 'Bites' involve jaws; 'stings' involve a sharp organ at the back of the insect. By learning these related words—nibble, chomp, gnaw, morsel, snap, and sting—you can describe the world with much more detail. Instead of relying on 'bites' for everything, you can choose the word that perfectly fits the action, the size, and the feeling of the moment. This variety is what makes English a rich and expressive language for learners to explore.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word 'bit' (a small piece) and 'bite' come from the same ancient root meaning 'to split.'

Pronunciation Guide

UK /baɪts/

US /baɪts/

Single syllable word; the stress is on the entire word.

Rhymes With

heights lights fights nights sights knights rights tight-s

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 's' as a 'z' (it should be 's' because 't' is voiceless).
Confusing the vowel with 'bits' (short 'i').
Dropping the 't' sound and saying 'bais'.
Confusing with 'beats' (long 'ee').
Over-emphasizing the 'e' which is silent.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in most contexts.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct subject-verb agreement.

Speaking 3/5

Watch for the 'ts' cluster pronunciation.

Listening 2/5

Clear sound, but watch for homophones.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

eat teeth mouth small food

Learn Next

chew swallow nibble digest appetizer

Advanced

masticate corrode incisive morsel gnash

Grammar to Know

Third-person singular 's'

He bites (correct) vs They bites (incorrect).

Countable vs Uncountable

I have three bites (countable) vs I have some food (uncountable).

Phrasal Verbs

Bite back, bite off, bite into.

Homophones

Bites (teeth) vs Bytes (data).

Voiceless Consonant Clusters

The /ts/ in bites is voiceless.

Examples by Level

The dog bites the red ball.

Le chien mord la balle rouge.

Third-person singular verb: 'dog' (it) + 'bites'.

She takes two bites of her apple.

Elle prend deux bouchées de sa pomme.

Plural noun: 'two' + 'bites'.

He bites the sandwich.

Il mord dans le sandwich.

Present simple verb for a regular action.

The baby bites the toy.

Le bébé mord le jouet.

Subject 'baby' is singular, so we add 's' to 'bite'.

I see three bites in the bread.

Je vois trois bouchées dans le pain.

Countable noun in plural form.

The cat bites my hand.

Le chat me mord la main.

Direct object 'my hand' follows the verb 'bites'.

Does the dog bite? No, it never bites.

Est-ce que le chien mord ? Non, il ne mord jamais.

Question and negative form of the verb.

Small bites are good for kids.

Les petites bouchées sont bonnes pour les enfants.

'Small bites' is the plural subject of the sentence.

I have many mosquito bites on my arm.

J'ai beaucoup de piqûres de moustiques sur le bras.

Noun referring to insect stings/marks.

The restaurant serves quick bites at lunch.

Le restaurant sert des collations rapides au déjeuner.

Noun meaning 'small snacks'.

She bites her nails when she is nervous.

Elle se ronge les ongles quand elle est nerveuse.

Habitual action in the present simple.

The fish bites the hook quickly.

Le poisson mord à l'hameçon rapidement.

Verb used in a specific hobby context (fishing).

Be careful, that spider bites!

Attention, cette araignée mord !

Intransitive use of the verb as a warning.

He took a few bites and then left.

Il a pris quelques bouchées puis est parti.

'A few' is followed by the plural noun 'bites'.

The puppy bites everything it sees.

Le chiot mord tout ce qu'il voit.

Third-person singular 'puppy' + 'bites'.

Are these bites from a bug?

Ces piqûres viennent-elles d'un insecte ?

Plural noun used in a question.

The cold wind really bites today.

Le vent froid est vraiment mordant aujourd'hui.

Metaphorical use of the verb to describe weather.

It really bites that we have to work late.

C'est vraiment nul qu'on doive travailler tard.

Informal slang 'it bites' meaning 'it's bad'.

He often bites off more than he can chew with work.

Il a souvent les yeux plus gros que le ventre avec le travail.

Idiomatic expression using the verb 'bites'.

We're not getting any bites on our house listing.

On n'a aucune touche pour l'annonce de notre maison.

Metaphorical noun meaning 'interest' or 'offers'.

The saw bites into the wood easily.

La scie entame le bois facilement.

Mechanical use of the verb meaning 'to grip/cut'.

She bites her tongue to avoid an argument.

Elle tourne sa langue sept fois dans sa bouche pour éviter une dispute.

Idiom meaning 'to stop oneself from speaking'.

The frost bites the flowers in early spring.

Le gel mord les fleurs au début du printemps.

Descriptive use of the verb for natural phenomena.

These 'healthy bites' are actually full of sugar.

Ces 'en-cas sains' sont en fait pleins de sucre.

Noun used as a marketing term for snacks.

The sharp critique really bites into his confidence.

La critique acerbe entame vraiment sa confiance.

Abstract use of the verb meaning 'to reduce or damage'.

The gears won't turn unless the teeth provide good bites.

Les engrenages ne tourneront pas à moins que les dents n'aient une bonne prise.

Technical noun referring to mechanical grip.

His biting sarcasm often bites him back in the end.

Son sarcasme mordant finit souvent par se retourner contre lui.

Verb used to show a consequence (to bite back).

The recession bites hard into the retail sector.

La récession frappe durement le secteur du commerce de détail.

Economic context meaning 'to have a severe impact'.

She takes small bites of information to process them better.

Elle prend de petites doses d'informations pour mieux les traiter.

Metaphorical noun for portions of data.

The dog bites at the air, trying to catch a fly.

Le chien essaie de gober l'air pour attraper une mouche.

Verb phrase 'bites at' meaning to try to bite.

The winter air bites through my thin jacket.

L'air hivernal transperce ma veste fine.

Verb 'bites through' meaning to penetrate.

The politician's speech was full of catchy soundbites.

Le discours du politicien était plein de petites phrases accrocheuses.

Compound noun 'soundbites' used in plural.

The salt air bites into the iron railings over time.

L'air salin ronge les balustrades en fer avec le temps.

Verb describing chemical corrosion.

Her wit bites, but it is never intentionally cruel.

Son esprit est mordant, mais il n'est jamais intentionnellement cruel.

Intransitive verb describing a personality trait.

The reality of the situation finally bites.

La réalité de la situation finit par se faire sentir cruellement.

Abstract verb meaning 'to become painfully apparent'.

He bites back a retort to maintain professional decorum.

Il retient une réplique pour maintenir le décorum professionnel.

Phrasal verb 'bite back' meaning to suppress.

The story is told in short, sharp bites of prose.

L'histoire est racontée par de courts et vifs fragments de prose.

Literary noun for stylistic segments.

The tax hike bites most severely for those on fixed incomes.

La hausse des impôts frappe le plus durement ceux qui ont des revenus fixes.

Formal economic usage of the verb.

The forensic team analyzed the bites on the evidence.

L'équipe médico-légale a analysé les traces de morsures sur les preuves.

Technical noun in a criminal context.

The cold bites deep into the marrow of his bones.

Le froid mord jusqu'à la moelle de ses os.

Poetic/emphatic use of the verb.

The historical irony of the event bites with a particular sting.

L'ironie historique de l'événement est particulièrement mordante.

High-level metaphorical use.

As the gears of bureaucracy turn, the new policy bites.

Alors que les rouages de la bureaucratie tournent, la nouvelle politique prend effet.

Abstract verb describing the implementation of power.

The author uses 'bites' as a motif for the character's hunger for power.

L'auteur utilise les 'morsures' comme motif pour la soif de pouvoir du personnage.

Noun used as a literary device/motif.

The acid bites the copper plate to create the etching.

L'acide attaque la plaque de cuivre pour créer l'eau-forte.

Technical verb in printmaking.

Every word he speaks bites with the weight of centuries.

Chaque mot qu'il prononce est empreint du poids des siècles.

Abstract, evocative use of the verb.

The dog bites the hand that feeds it, metaphorically speaking.

Il mord la main qui le nourrit, métaphoriquement parlant.

C2 level use of a classic proverb.

The recession's bite is felt most in the rural periphery.

Le contrecoup de la récession se fait surtout sentir dans la périphérie rurale.

Noun used to describe the 'sting' of an event.

The wind bites through the silence of the empty cathedral.

Le vent siffle à travers le silence de la cathédrale vide.

Atmospheric use of the verb.

Common Collocations

mosquito bites

small bites

quick bites

insect bites

bites the dust

bites off more than one can chew

bites her lip

frost bites

fish bites

bites into

Common Phrases

light bites

— Small snacks or appetizers served at an event.

The bar offers light bites during happy hour.

bite-sized

— Small enough to be eaten in one bite; easy to understand.

The information was presented in bite-sized chunks.

get a bite

— To have a fish take the bait; to eat a small meal.

Let's go get a bite to eat before the movie.

bites back

— To react strongly to a situation; to suppress a comment.

She bites back her anger during the meeting.

sound bites

— Short, memorable quotes from a speech or interview.

The news used several soundbites from the president.

bites the hand that feeds

— To act ungratefully toward someone who helps you.

By insulting his boss, he bites the hand that feeds him.

it bites

— An informal way to say a situation is bad or annoying.

My car broke down; it really bites.

bites into profits

— To reduce the amount of money a company makes.

High fuel costs are biting into our profits.

bites her nails

— A common nervous habit of chewing fingernails.

He bites his nails whenever he has an exam.

bites the bullet

— To endure a painful or difficult situation bravely.

He decided to bite the bullet and tell the truth.

Often Confused With

bites vs bits

Bits are small pieces of anything; bites are specifically related to teeth or food portions.

bites vs bytes

Bytes are units of digital data; they sound the same but are spelled differently.

bites vs beats

Beats refers to rhythm or hitting; bites refers to teeth. The vowel sounds are different.

Idioms & Expressions

"bite the dust"

— To fail, die, or stop functioning.

My old laptop finally bit the dust yesterday.

informal

"bite off more than you can chew"

— To take on a task that is way too big for you.

I bit off more than I could chew with three jobs.

neutral

"bite your tongue"

— To stop yourself from saying something you want to say.

I had to bite my tongue when she was being rude.

neutral

"bite the hand that feeds you"

— To treat someone badly who is helping or paying you.

Don't bite the hand that feeds you by complaining.

neutral

"bite the bullet"

— To accept something difficult or unpleasant.

I have to bite the bullet and go to the dentist.

neutral

"once bitten, twice shy"

— Being cautious because of a bad past experience.

He won't invest again; once bitten, twice shy.

neutral

"bite someone's head off"

— To speak to someone in a very angry or sharp way.

I only asked a question; no need to bite my head off!

informal

"his bark is worse than his bite"

— Someone sounds scary or mean but isn't actually dangerous.

The teacher is strict, but her bark is worse than her bite.

neutral

"bite into"

— To significantly reduce or impact something (like money).

Inflation bites into our monthly savings.

neutral

"take a bite out of"

— To reduce something by a large amount.

The new tax takes a big bite out of my paycheck.

neutral

Easily Confused

bites vs beats

Similar sound in some accents.

Beats is a long 'ee' sound; bites is an 'ai' sound.

The drum beats; the dog bites.

bites vs bits

Both refer to small amounts.

Bits is a short 'i'; bites is a diphthong 'ai'. Bits is more general.

Bits of paper; bites of cake.

bites vs bates

Rare word, but similar spelling.

Bates means to restrain (as in 'bated breath').

He waits with bated breath; the dog bites.

bites vs boats

Phonetically similar in fast speech.

Boats are watercraft; bites involve teeth.

The boats sail; the shark bites.

bites vs bytes

Homophones.

Bytes is for computers; bites is for eating.

A megabyte has many bytes; a sandwich has many bites.

Sentence Patterns

The [animal] bites the [object].

The cat bites the string.

I have [number] [adjective] bites.

I have four itchy bites.

It [adverb] bites that [clause].

It really bites that it's raining.

The [weather] bites my [body part].

The wind bites my cheeks.

[Subject] bites off more than [subject] can chew.

She bites off more than she can chew.

[Subject] bites into [noun].

The tax bites into our income.

Biting [noun] [verb].

Biting sarcasm hurts feelings.

The [abstract noun] of [noun] bites.

The irony of the situation bites.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written English.

Common Mistakes

The dogs bites the bone. → The dogs bite the bone.
With a plural subject (dogs), the verb should be 'bite,' not 'bites.'
I have many mosquito bits. → I have many mosquito bites.
'Bits' means pieces; 'bites' means the marks from an insect.
He bite the sandwich yesterday. → He bit the sandwich yesterday.
The past tense of 'bite' is 'bit.' 'Bites' is only for the present tense.
The computer has 500 bites of RAM. → The computer has 500 bytes of RAM.
In computing, the correct spelling is 'bytes.'
The bee bites me. → The bee stings me.
Bees use a stinger, not teeth, so we use the verb 'stings.'

Tips

Subject-Verb Agreement

Always check your subject. 'The dog bites' is correct, but 'The dogs bites' is wrong. Plural subjects take 'bite'.

Culinary Context

Use 'small bites' or 'light bites' when describing appetizers at a party or on a menu.

Informal Usage

Use 'that bites' to show empathy when a friend tells you something bad happened.

Bites vs Bytes

Remember: 'Bites' for food and teeth, 'Bytes' for computers and data. They sound the same but look different.

The 'ts' Sound

Make sure the 't' and 's' are both heard clearly. It's a sharp, quick sound at the end of the word.

Bite Your Tongue

This is a great idiom for when you are angry but choose to stay quiet to avoid trouble.

Insect Bites

In the summer, 'mosquito bites' is a very high-frequency phrase. Learn it to describe itchy skin.

Descriptive Verbs

Instead of just 'eats,' use 'bites' to focus on the physical action of the teeth.

Weather Descriptions

Use 'the wind bites' to describe very cold, sharp winter air. It's very evocative.

Fishing Talk

If you go fishing, ask 'Are you getting any bites?' to see if the fish are interested.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Bites has an 'I' for Incisors (the front teeth you use to bite).

Visual Association

Imagine a set of teeth closing on a sandwich with the word 'BITES' written on the crust.

Word Web

teeth food insect pain snack fish mouth sharp

Challenge

Try to use 'bites' as a verb and a noun in the same sentence about a picnic.

Word Origin

Derived from the Old English word 'bitan', which means to pierce or cut with the teeth.

Original meaning: To separate or cleave using the jaws.

Germanic (Proto-Germanic *bitana).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'bites' to describe people; it can sound aggressive unless used idiomatically.

Commonly used in casual conversation and culinary marketing.

The song 'Another One Bites the Dust' by Queen. The movie 'Bite the Bullet' (1975). The idiom 'bite the hand that feeds' appears in Aesop's Fables.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a restaurant

Are there any small bites?
Just a few bites for me.
The food bites back (spicy).
Bite-sized appetizers.

In the garden

Watch out for bug bites.
The spider bites.
I have itchy bites.
Mosquito bites everywhere.

Talking about habits

He bites his nails.
She bites her lip.
The dog bites when scared.
Stop those bites!

Expressing frustration

That really bites.
It bites that we lost.
Life sometimes bites.
Everything bites today.

Fishing

Any bites yet?
The fish bites the bait.
Lots of bites today.
Wait for the bites.

Conversation Starters

"Do you have any good remedies for mosquito bites?"

"What are your favorite 'small bites' to serve at a party?"

"Does your pet ever take playful bites at your shoes?"

"Have you ever bitten off more than you could chew with a project?"

"What's the most 'biting' cold weather you've ever experienced?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a time when you bit off more than you could chew. How did you handle the situation?

Write about your favorite small bites or snacks. Why do you enjoy them?

Reflect on a situation that 'really bites.' How did you stay positive?

Imagine you are a fisherman. Describe the feeling when the fish finally bites.

Do you have any nervous habits like biting your nails? How do they affect you?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It can be both! As a verb, it's the third-person singular (He bites). As a noun, it's the plural form of 'bite' (Two bites).

It means something is bad, annoying, or disappointing. For example, 'I failed my test; it really bites!'

It is pronounced as a sharp /s/ sound, not a /z/, because it follows the voiceless /t/ sound.

Usually, no. Bees 'sting.' Spiders, mosquitoes, and dogs 'bite.' Use 'stings' for insects with a stinger.

A soundbite is a very short, catchy part of a speech or interview used on the news or social media.

No, it can also describe information that is short and easy to understand, like 'bite-sized lessons.'

Bites are standard; nibbles are very small, gentle, and often repetitive.

Use 'bit' for the past tense (He bit the apple) or as a noun for a small piece (A bit of luck). Use 'bites' for present tense or plural nouns.

It means to accept something difficult or unpleasant that you cannot avoid.

Yes, often metaphorically, like 'The new costs bite into our budget,' meaning they reduce the available money.