lactic

American  

[lak-tik] / ˈlæk tɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or obtained from milk.

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lactic British  

/ ˈlæktɪk /

adjective

1. relating to or derived from milk

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Other Word Forms

• nonlactic
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of lactic

First recorded in 1780–90; lact- + -ic

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Explanation

Scientists use the word lactic for substances that have to do with milk. Lactic acid is the substance that makes things like yogurt and buttermilk taste sour. The term lactic comes from the French lactique and its Latin root, lac, or "milk." The word is almost always connected to acid — lactic acid, also known as lactate, is the byproduct of a chemical reaction that occurs in milk as it ferments. Lactic acid is also present in our bodies, as it's produced by muscles that are working hard, in our guts, and even in our mouths.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lactic

Instead, the elevated heart rates may help remove lactic acid from the body and restore depleted oxygen reserves that could not fully recover while at sea.

From Science Daily ● May 9, 2026

Yogurt doesn’t just tenderize; it creates a thin lactic crust that browns beautifully in a hot pan.

From Salon ● Feb. 24, 2026

"Keely can be doing certain repetitions, and she's being physically sick from the lactic acid. It's a little bit inhumane at times."

From BBC ● Feb. 20, 2026

“You’ve got lactic acid up to your eyeballs,” Porino said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 6, 2026

Their shoulders must be rubbed every hour and they must be allowed to shake the lactic acid buildup out of their joints each hour.

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen

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