vitamin C

noun

: a water-soluble vitamin C₆H₈O₆ found in plants and especially in fruits and leafy vegetables or made synthetically and used in the prevention and treatment of scurvy and as an antioxidant for foods

called also ascorbic acid

Examples of vitamin C in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If vitamin C supplements cause diarrhea, try splitting it into a morning dose and an evening dose, instead of one large dose all at once. —Patricia Weiser, Verywell Health, 7 Aug. 2025

The cream itself is one-size-fits-all: a 5% hydroquinone formula that also features vitamin C and niacinamide; vitamin C inhibits tyrosinase while niacinamide keeps new pigment from melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) from reaching the surface of your skin. —Marci Robin, Allure, 1 Aug. 2025

If vitamin C hasn’t worked for you, try this new face oil. —Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 31 July 2025

In the food realm, a drop-off in vitamin C intake could also increase your odds of easy bruising, Dr. Young adds. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 28 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1920, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for vitamin C

• abc
• absentee
• addressee
• adoptee
• agouti
• allottee
• amphorae
• amputee
• apc
• apogee
• appointee
• assessee

Kids Definition

vitamin C

noun

: a vitamin that is present especially in citrus fruits, tomatoes, and green vegetables and is needed by the body to prevent scurvy

called also ascorbic acid

Medical Definition

vitamin C

noun

: a water-soluble vitamin C₆H₈O₆ found in plants and especially in fruits and leafy vegetables or made synthetically and used in the prevention and treatment of scurvy and as an antioxidant for foods

called also ascorbic acid