malic

adjective

ma·​lic ˈma-lik  ˈmā- 

: involved in and especially catalyzing a reaction in which malic acid participates

malic dehydrogenase

Examples of malic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Start saying malic instead of citric when speaking of tartness. — Jeff Burkhart, Mercury News, 14 May 2025

Step one clears away dead skin and gunk with exfoliating acids like lactic, malic, and glycolic; step two adds in soothing, anti-aging ingredients like green tea and adenosine. — Annie Blackman, Allure, 28 Feb. 2026

Not lime is made from citric, malic, phosphoric, and tartaric acids, salt, sugar, and an extract from buzz buttons (an edible flower with numbing properties) to give it the citrus tingle. — Camper English, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2025

In the Wild Eyed Rose, the voluptuous tartness of the grenadine gets to arc across the whole palate, supported by the warm light malt of the Irish whiskey and given a malic kiss at the end by the lime juice. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1909, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing malic

• malic acid

Rhymes for malic

• alack
• gallic
• hallock
• malik
• phallic
• salic
• sialic
• taluk
• bimetallic
• nonmetallic
• brachycephalic
• intermetallic

Medical Definition

malic

adjective

ma·​lic ˈmal-ik  ˈmā-lik 

: involved in and especially catalyzing a reaction in which malic acid participates

malic dehydrogenase