acidify

[ uh-sid-uh-fahy ]

verb (used with or without object)

, a·cid·i·fied, a·cid·i·fy·ing.

1. to make or become acid; convert into an acid.
2. to make or become sour.

acidify

/ əˈsɪdɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to convert into or become acid

Derived Forms

• aˈcidiˌfiable, adjective
• aˈcidiˌfier, noun
• aˌcidifiˈcation, noun

Other Words From

• a·cidi·fia·ble adjective
• a·cidi·fi·cation noun
• a·cidi·fier noun
• rea·cidi·fi·cation noun
• rea·cidi·fy verb reacidified reacidifying
• semi·a·cidi·fied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of acidify¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; acid + -ify

Example Sentences

The demise of coral reefs in ocean waters that we’ve managed to simultaneously heat up, acidify, and pollute will destroy the habitat and spawning grounds of a vast share of marine species.

From MIT Technology Review

So they have all these Lactobacillus in there that will acidify the gut—and that literally pickle the pathogen.

From Popular-Science

“We hypothesize that the bees are using those acid-producing bacteria to acidify their gut,” Maccaro says.

From Popular-Science

Those particles, the researchers think, are an early warning of chemical reactions that can acidify the wood.

From Popular-Science

As humans produce more carbon dioxide from fossil fuels, some of it ends up in the ocean — where it acidifies the water.

From Science News For Students

Evaporate to a thin syrup, acidify strongly with phosphoric acid.

From Project Gutenberg

Boil off the gas, add ammonia until a precipitate is formed, and then acidify somewhat strongly with acetic acid.

From Project Gutenberg

Acidify the liquor with nitric and boil down to about 100 c.c.

From Project Gutenberg

Extract with water, acidify with acetic acid, and estimate volumetrically as described under Sulphur.

From Project Gutenberg

Acidify the solution of soluble ash, obtained in 9, with dilute nitric acid and determine phosphoric acid (P2O5).

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• embitter
• exacerbate
• spoil