This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
caustic
[ kaw-stik ]
/ ˈkɔ stɪk /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
adjective
capable of burning, corroding, or destroying living tissue.
severely critical or sarcastic: a caustic remark.
noun
a caustic substance.
Optics.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Origin of caustic
1350–1400; Middle English <Latin causticus<Greek kaustikós burning, caustic, equivalent to kaust(ós) burnt (verbal adjective of kaíein to burn) + -ikos-ic
OTHER WORDS FROM caustic
Words nearby caustic
causerie, causeuse, causeway, causey, causist, caustic, caustic alcohol, caustic curve, caustic lime, caustic potash, caustic soda
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use caustic in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for caustic
caustic
/ (ˈkɔːstɪk) /
adjective
capable of burning or corroding by chemical actioncaustic soda
sarcastic; cuttinga caustic reply
of, relating to, or denoting light that is reflected or refracted by a curved surface
noun
Also called: caustic surface a surface that envelops the light rays reflected or refracted by a curved surface
Also called: caustic curve a curve formed by the intersection of a caustic surface with a plane
chem a caustic substance, esp an alkali
Derived forms of caustic
caustical, adjectivecaustically, adverbcausticity (kɔːˈstɪsɪtɪ) or causticness, nounWord Origin for caustic
C14: from Latin causticus, from Greek kaustikos, from kaiein to burn
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