acidify

verb

acid·​i·​fy ə-ˈsi-də-ˌfī 

a-

acidified; acidifying

transitive verb

1

: to make acid

2

: to convert into an acid

acidification

ə-ˌsi-də-fə-ˈkā-shən 

a-

noun

Examples of acidify in a Sentence

Pollution caused the soil to acidify.

Recent Examples on the Web

Since Benson and her co-authors met in Oviedo, weather catastrophes have multiplied, oceans have acidified and the amount of carbon in the atmosphere has soared. — Katie Worth, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2026

When the plant roots encounter an area acidified by decaying plant matter—a chemical gradient distinct from that of animal matter—ABA builds up on the side facing the rot, encouraging growth in the other direction. — Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2026

The ingredients that acidify or sweeten the drink also need to be dialed back in order to balance the mixture; many bartenders will include spices or other ingredients that provide nuance and complexity in the drink. — Esther Tseng, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026

Coffee grounds do not significantly lower soil pH or act as an effective fertilizer; use specialized products to acidify soil. — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 July 2026

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

Rhymes for acidify

• alveoli
• antinomy
• areolae
• demystify
• detoxify
• disqualify
• diversify
• electrify
• exemplify
• fasciculi
• identify
• indemnify

Kids Definition

acidify

verb

acid·​i·​fy ə-ˈsid-ə-ˌfī 

acidified; acidifying

1

: to make acid

2

: to change into an acid

acidification

ə-ˌsid-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

acidify

verb

acid·​i·​fy -ə-ˌfī 

acidified; acidifying

transitive verb

1

: to make acid

2

: to convert into an acid

intransitive verb

: to become acid

acidifiable

ə-ˌsid-ə-ˈfī-ə-bəl, a- 

adjective

acidification

-fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

acidifier

ə-ˈsid-ə-ˌfī(-ə)r, a- 

noun