English Explanatory Dictionary

acerbic

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Tasting sour or bitter.
  2. Sharp, harsh, biting.

Pronunciation

/əˈsɜː(ɹ)bɪk/ ə-sûr'bĭk /əˈsərbɪk/ En-us-acerbic.oga

Word forms

acerbic more acerbic most acerbic

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱ- Proto-Indo-European *-rós Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱrós Proto-Italic *akris Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- Proto-Indo-European *-dʰh₁-os Proto-Italic *-iðos Proto-Italic *akriðos Latin acerbusder. English acerbic Attested since the 17th century, from Latin acerbus (“sour, bitter”).

Synonyms

acerb acrid acrimonious scathing

Derived words

acerbically acerbicness nonacerbic unacerbic
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