acerbic

American  

[uh-sur-bik] / əˈsɜr bɪk /

adjective

1. sour or astringent in taste.

   Lemon juice is acerbic.

2. harsh or severe, as of temper or expression.

   acerbic criticism.

---

acerbic British  

/ əˈsɜːbɪk /

adjective

1. harsh, bitter, or astringent; sour

---

Other Word Forms

• unacerbic
  adjective
• acerbically
  adverb
• unacerbically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of acerbic

1860–65; < Latin acerb ( us ) sour, unripe, bitterly harsh + -ic, irregular for -ous

Explanation

If you say something acerbic, or harshly bitter, to someone, it can leave a bitter taste in your own mouth that lingers, and the acerbic, or acidic, words can eat away at the person on the receiving end too. It is fitting that the first part of acerbic sounds like the first part of "acid," because the Latin source of acerbic is acerbus, "sour-tasting." Acerbic speech is like acid, because it is sour and corrodes, or weakens, relationships. There are ways to use sharp words for humor, and some comedians are known for their "acerbic wit," but just as you would take safety precautions in using acid in a science lab, you should be cautious about using acerbic language in conversation.

Related Words

• caustic
• harsh
• sharp