corrosive
Americanadjective
-
having the quality of corroding or eating away; erosive.
-
harmful or destructive; deleterious.
the corrosive effect of poverty on their marriage.
-
sharply sarcastic; caustic.
corrosive comments on the speaker's integrity.
noun
adjective
-
(esp of acids or alkalis) capable of destroying solid materials
-
tending to eat away or consume
-
cutting; sarcastic
a corrosive remark
noun
Other Word Forms
- corrosively adverb
- corrosiveness noun
- corrosivity noun
- noncorrosive adjective
- noncorrosively adverb
- noncorrosiveness noun
Etymology
Origin of corrosive
1350–1400; late Middle English (< Middle French ) < Medieval Latin corrōsīvus, equivalent to Latin corrōs ( us ) ( see corrosion) + -īvus -ive; replacing Middle English corosif < Middle French < Latin as above
Explanation
A corrosive substance, like hydrochloric acid, will eat away most things on which it is spilled. Watch out in chemistry lab: you wouldn't want to destroy your homework, desk, or worse, your own skin by spilling something corrosive on it. The word corrosive comes from the Latin word, corrodere, meaning "to gnaw away." Rodere (to gnaw) is the same root word for rodent, so you can remember the word corrosive because something that is corrosive gnaws through things like a rodent. The adjective corrosive is also used to describe something that is bitingly or spitefully sarcastic. If you're known for your corrosive wit, you probably don't win any popularity contests.
Vocabulary lists containing corrosive
Hatchet
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President Obama's Farewell Address
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Freak the Mighty
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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.
Lord George Robertson's comments about "corrosive complacency" on defence will sting the government.
From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026
It’s a really corrosive quality to bring to a group activity.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026
But the biggest impact is also the most corrosive.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026
Salt also damages buildings, vehicles and other objects, she said, and presents "a problem for animals. Pet owners notice it on their paws. It's simply corrosive."
From Barron's • Feb. 5, 2026
Harry felt a corrosive hatred toward Ron: Something had broken between them.
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
