acid

1 of 2

noun

1
: a sour substance
specifically : any of various typically water-soluble and sour compounds that in solution are capable of reacting with a base (see base entry 1 sense 6a) to form a salt, redden litmus, and have a pH less than 7, that are hydrogen-containing molecules or ions able to give up a proton to a base, or that are substances able to accept an unshared pair of electrons from a base
2
: something incisive, biting, or sarcastic
a social satire dripping with acid
3
: lsd
acidy
ˈa-sə-dē
adjective

acid

2 of 2

adjective

1
a
: sour, sharp, or biting to the taste
an acid flavor
b
: sharp, biting, or sour in manner, disposition, or nature
an acid individual
an acid personality
c
: sharply clear, discerning, or pointed
an acid wit
acid criticism
d
: piercingly intense and often jarring
acid yellow
2
a
: of, relating to, or being an acid
also : having the reactions or characteristics of an acid
acid soil
an acid solution
b
of salts and esters : derived by partial exchange of replaceable hydrogen
acid sodium carbonate NaHCO3
c
: containing or involving the use of an acid (as in manufacture)
an acid bath
d
: marked by or resulting from an abnormally high concentration of acid
acid indigestion
3
: relating to or made by a process in which the furnace is lined with acidic material and an acidic slag is used
acid steel
4
: rich in silica
acid rocks
acidly adverb
acidness noun

Examples of acid in a Sentence

Noun the acids in your stomach the kinds of acid found in your stomach Adjective He washes his windows with an acid solution of vinegar and water. with her acid personality, my aunt could be relied upon to bring some much-needed balance to the holiday gush
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Fluoride counters that process with a one-two punch, by reducing acid and strengthening enamel, the tooth’s protective outer layer. Erika Edwards, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024 Banana Acidity: Where Fruit Sits on pH Scale Different fruits have different acid levels. Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Magnesium interferes with bisphosphonates used for osteoporosis, antibiotics, diuretics, and proton pump inhibitors used for acid reflux.8 Potassium: The kidneys regulate potassium levels. Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 31 Oct. 2024 This ensures that the acid and electrolyte levels in your blood (including sodium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium) remain at the ideal concentration. Kumkum S. Patel, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for acid 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Medieval Latin acidum, going back to Latin, neuter of acidus acid entry 2

Adjective

borrowed from French & Latin; French acide, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Latin acidus, adjective derivative from the base of acēre "to be sour" — more at acetic acid

First Known Use

Noun

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of acid was in 1649

Dictionary Entries Near acid

Cite this Entry

“Acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acid. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

acid

1 of 2 adjective
ac·​id ˈas-əd How to pronounce acid (audio)
1
: sour, bitter, or stinging to the taste : resembling vinegar in taste
2
: sharp or sour in temper : cross
acid remarks
3
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an acid
acid soil
acid indigestion
acidly adverb
acidness noun

acid

2 of 2 noun
1
: a sour substance
2
: a compound that usually dissolves in water, has a sour taste, reacts with a base to form a salt, and turns litmus paper red
3
: lsd

Medical Definition

acid

1 of 2 noun
1
: a sour substance
specifically : any of various typically water-soluble and sour compounds that in solution are capable of reacting with a base (see base sense 3a) to form a salt, redden litmus, and have a pH less than 7, that are hydrogen-containing molecules or ions able to give up a proton to a base, or that are substances able to accept an unshared pair of electrons from a base
2
: lsd

acid

2 of 2 adjective
ac·​id ˈas-əd How to pronounce acid (audio)
1
: sour, sharp, or biting to the taste
2
a
: of, relating to, or being an acid
also : having the reactions or characteristics of an acid
an acid solution
b
of salts and esters : derived by partial exchange of replaceable hydrogen
acid sodium carbonate NaHCO3
c
: marked by or resulting from an abnormally high concentration of acid
acid indigestion
see also acid reflux

More from Merriam-Webster on acid

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