Synonyms

acidulate

American

[uh-sij-uh-leyt] / əˈsɪdʒ əˌleɪt /

verb (used with object)

acidulated, acidulating

to make somewhat acid.
to sour; embitter.

acidulate British

/ əˈsɪdjʊˌleɪt /

verb

(tr) to make slightly acid or sour

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

acidulation noun
semiacidulated adjective
superacidulated adjective
unacidulated adjective

Etymology

Origin of acidulate

First recorded in 1725–35; acidul(ous) + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Properly acidulated flavors don’t taste artificial; they just taste as if that flavor, usually so subtle, put on some glitter before it came onstage.

From Seattle Times

The sweet, usually acidulated fruit complements rather than competes with the mild flavor of the meat, while cutting through its rich fattiness.

From New York Times

Thanks to Arnold’s book and blogging, the technique has been widely adopted; if you see a drink that includes “corrected,” “improved” or “acidulated” orange, it’s likely gotten the treatment.

From Washington Post

The drink also includes acidulated orange juice, a smoked paprika ice containing honey and ancho chile liqueur, and tequila.

From Washington Post

The instrument was “composed of alternate tubs of oxygen and hydrogen through each of which passes platina foil so as to dip into separate vessels of water acidulated with sulphuric acid.”

From Scientific American

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023