acid

noun

Definition of acid

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

acid

adjective

ac·id | \ ˈa-səd

Definition of acid (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : 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

2a : 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

Other Words from acid Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about acid

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Other Words from acid

Noun

acidy \ ˈa-sə-dē \ adjective

Adjective

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: Noun

An unexpected dash of color, even something like acid green, can do wonders! — Elizabeth Pash, House Beautiful, "Why Louis XVI-Style Chairs Are a Must-Buy, No Matter Your Style," 26 Apr. 2019 The chemicals found – perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid – are in firefighting foam and implicated in some types of cancer and thyroid effects, school officials said, pointing to several scientific studies. — Martin E. Comas, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Brevard County schools to test drinking water at 13 campuses for chemical contamination," 3 July 2018 Over-the-counter topical products that contain azelaic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or sulfur are generally milder, yet effective, options. — Nikhita Mahtani, SELF, "How to Safely Treat Your Postpartum Acne," 24 Apr. 2019 The power is in its formula: The hydrating serum contains fruit acids, including lactic and glycolic, to gently slough off dead skin cells, which helps with both dry patches and acne. — Glamour, "Herbivore’s Prism Glow Potion Gives You Radiant Skin Like None Other," 29 Mar. 2019 The Brown administration had sought to use money from that fund for other programs, including consumer product rules and enforcement initiatives unrelated to the cleanup of lead-acid battery pollution. — Tony Barboza, latimes.com, "Lawmakers seek $16 million to expand Exide lead cleanup beyond yards," 23 May 2018 To create a rustic, European feel the couple added wood beams to the ceiling and used a mortar rub and acid wash on their stone fireplace. — Alyssa Fiorentino, House Beautiful, "6 Ways Eric and Jessie James Decker Turned Their House Into a Cozy Oasis," 2 Feb. 2019 Officials have warned of the danger of getting close to lava entering the ocean, saying the interaction can create clouds of acid and fine glass. — Audrey Mcavoy, The Seattle Times, "Lava crashes through roof of Hawaii tour boat, injuring 23," 16 July 2018 Ask him anything Tim Gunn did a Reddit AMA and revealed his biggest fashion regret (acid-wash jeans in the '80s) and that Larry King thought Project Runway was about an airport. — Lauren Le Vine, Redbook, "Morning Headlines: How I Met Your Dad Finds Its Star, Tom Brokaw's Big Announcement — and More," 12 Feb. 2014

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

During the Reagan era, acid-wash jeans were, for a brief period, inescapable. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Are You Ready for the Return of Acid-Wash Jeans? Katy Perry Is," 6 Aug. 2018 Vinegar contains zero calories, enhances flavor, and poses a low health risk, except for acid reflux-sufferers and diabetics. — Jaclyn London, Ms, Rd, Cdn, Good Housekeeping, "The Real Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar, According to a Nutritionist," 21 Nov. 2018 This isn’t an acid trip, or a dream, or even bad sushi. — Candace Braun Davison, House Beautiful, "Amy Poehler Is 'Making It' Up As She Goes Along," 31 July 2018 The biggest issue here is acid reflux, says Dr. Mindel. — Korin Miller, SELF, "7 Mistakes You Make Right Before Bed That Are Ruining Your Sleep," 28 Nov. 2018 Her long, acid-yellow hair matched her corset-style top and short-sleeved tuxedo jacket from the brand’s Yellow Label. — Wendy Sy, Allure, "Celebs Are All Dyeing Their Hair Neon Colors for Fall," 14 Sep. 2018 Another common cause of chest pain is acid reflux or its more severe relative, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). — Cassie Shortsleeve, SELF, "Is Your Chest Pain Physical or Mental?," 14 Nov. 2018 Without proper Lyme disease treatment, the disease can linger on for years with a wide range of side effects from sore joints and memory problems to panic attacks and acid reflux, according to the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society. — Leah Zerbe, Good Housekeeping, "5 Effective Ways to Keep Ticks Out of Your Yard," 26 May 2018 In a small clinical trial, researchers randomly assigned 23 nonverbal children with autism to take folinic acid daily for 12 weeks, and 25 nonverbal children with autism to take a placebo. — Nicholette Zeliadt, Washington Post, "Taking folic acid may lower the risk of autism and ease features of the condition," 2 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'acid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for acid

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

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Dictionary Entries near acid

Statistics for acid

Last Updated

14 May 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for acid

The first known use of acid was in 1649

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More Definitions for acid

acid

noun

English Language Learners Definition of acid

(Entry 1 of 2)

chemistry : a chemical with a sour taste that forms a salt when mixed with a base

acid

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of acid (Entry 2 of 2)

: of, relating to, or having the qualities of an acid

: sharp, strong, and critical in tone

See the full definition for acid in the English Language Learners Dictionary

acid

adjective

ac·id | \ ˈa-səd

Kids Definition of acid

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : having a taste that is sour, bitter, or stinging

2 : harsh or critical in tone acid remarks

3 : of, relating to, or like an acid an acid solution

acid

noun

Kids Definition of acid (Entry 2 of 2)

: a chemical compound that tastes sour and forms a water solution which turns blue litmus paper red

acid

adjective

ac·id | \ ˈas-əd

Medical Definition of acid

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : sour, sharp, or biting to the taste

2a : 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 —not used technically

acid

noun

Medical Definition of acid (Entry 2 of 2)

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

2 : lsd