acidify

verb

acid·​i·​fy ə-ˈsi-də-ˌfī How to pronounce acidify (audio)
a-
acidified; acidifying

transitive verb

1
: to make acid
2
: to convert into an acid
acidification noun

Example Sentences

Pollution caused the soil to acidify.
Recent Examples on the Web Iron and metal nails can acidify and seep into the wood, which can swell with water if not eaten away. Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 13 Feb. 2023 Similar to the art of cheesemaking, vegan cheese makers can create different tasting vegan cheeses using various bacterial blends to acidify the cheese to different extents and produce different flavor compounds. Ashton Yoon, Discover Magazine, 26 Sep. 2017 The visible papillar bumps, which acidify when the trichome is touched, store chemicals that may discourage invading insects. Discover Magazine, 26 Mar. 2018 The role of glycolysis is to acidify the curd or cheese, which produces many downstream effects including the regulation of flavor, texture, and melting point of the cheese. Ashton Yoon, Discover Magazine, 26 Sep. 2017 But other scientists say even those could acidify because their outflow will slow as atmospheric concentrations surge. John Flesher, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Dec. 2022 Coffee grounds and pine needles don’t acidify soil significantly more than other organic matter. Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2022 The report said that climate change continues to warm and acidify the ocean, and several marine heat waves on the Great Barrier Reef, along the country’s northeast coast, were accompanied by significant coral bleaching events. New York Times, 19 July 2022 On the west side of the Cascades, pH greater than 7.0 is uncommon, so gardeners typically only acidify their soil for growing acid-loving plants like rhododendrons and blueberries. oregonlive, 26 July 2021 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French acidifier, from acide acid entry 1 + -ifier -ify

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of acidify was in 1782

Dictionary Entries Near acidify

Cite this Entry

“Acidify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acidify. Accessed 21 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

acidify

verb
acid·​i·​fy ə-ˈsid-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce acidify (audio)
acidified; acidifying
1
: to make acid
2
: to change into an acid
acidification noun

Medical Definition

acidify

verb
acid·​i·​fy -ə-ˌfī How to pronounce acidify (audio)
acidified; acidifying

transitive verb

1
: to make acid
2
: to convert into an acid

intransitive verb

: to become acid
acidifiable adjective
acidification noun

More from Merriam-Webster on acidify

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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