bitch

Bitch has several senses in modern English. As a noun, it commonly refers to a female dog. In human usage, it is a pejorative insult aimed at a person, especially a woman, implying unlikable, aggressive, or oppressive behavior. As a verb, to bitch means to complain or nag in a persistent or petty way. An adjective form, bitchy, describes behavior perceived as mean, spiteful, or petty.

The word originates from Old English bicce, meaning a female dog, and is cognate with related Germanic terms. The insult sense emerged in the early modern period and later broadened to target women more generally, while retaining its connection to criticizing behavior.

Because of its gendered and offensive nature, the term is considered highly offensive in many contexts, particularly when directed at women. Some communities and individuals, especially women, have sought to reclaim or repurpose the word in non-derogatory ways, often in feminist or popular culture contexts (for example, phrases like “boss bitch” or “bitch energy”), though reclaiming remains controversial and is not universally accepted.

In everyday language, many dictionaries classify the word as vulgar and offensive, with usage that ranges from insults to in-group jargon in certain communities. It appears in film, music, and social media with varying intent, from explicit insult to reclaimed self-identification or stylistic expression, depending on audience and context.

In animal and veterinary contexts, “bitch” remains the standard zoological term for a female member of the species Canis lupus familiaris (the domestic dog).