sulfuric

adjective

sul·​fu·​ric ˌsəl-ˈfyu̇r-ik 

variants or chiefly British sulphuric

: of, relating to, or containing sulfur especially with a higher valence than sulfurous compounds

sulfuric esters

Examples of sulfuric in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite its sulfuric stench, in a stroke of absolute luck, this meteorite crashed into the right house. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 15 July 2026

While saline, sometimes sulfuric notes are what make a beachy scent realistic, they shouldn’t be used in isolation. — Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 3 June 2026

The summit is a barren ash field, gray and treeless, scoured by sulfuric gas and acidic rain that burns whatever tries to grow. — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026

Sweet onions, such as Vidalia or Walla Walla, shallots, and green onions are generally more chill (aka contain fewer sulfuric compounds) than yellow, white, or red onions, Hale notes. — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sulfuric

• sulfuric acid

Rhymes for sulfuric

• mercuric
• purpuric
• yurok

Kids Definition

sulfuric

adjective

sul·​fu·​ric ˌsəl-ˈfyu̇(ə)r-ik 

: of, relating to, or containing sulfur

Medical Definition

sulfuric

adjective

sul·​fu·​ric

variants or chiefly British sulphuric

ˌsəl-ˈfyu̇(ə)r-ik 

: of, relating to, or containing sulfur especially with a higher valence than sulfurous compounds

sulfuric esters