acrid Hear it!

acrid Definition

ac·rid (ak′rid)

adjective

  1. sharp, bitter, stinging, or irritating to the taste or smell
  2. bitter or sarcastic in speech, etc.

Etymology: < L acris, fem. of acer, sharp < IE base *a- (see acid): form infl. by acid

Related Forms:

acrid Synonyms

acrid

modif.

  1. Harsh in taste or smell

    bitter, sharp, stinging, irritating; see sour 1.

  2. Caustic

    acrimonious, bitter, caustic, sarcastic; see sarcastic.

acrid Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • stench: The acrid stench of the remedy Hangs in the air; the night skies Are lit with it; the animals Burning.
  • smell: The acrid smell of burnt eagle feathers hung in the air.
  • fume: The acrid fumes of burning had rapidly filled the air.
  • smoke: Oak, which has not been fully seasoned may give off an acrid smoke.
  • juice: The plants often have an acrid milky juice ( Bailey 1949 ).
  • taste: Too much grease dripping onto the coals will catch fire and lend the meat an acrid taste.

Modifying Another Word

  • very: I only ever sweat badly under one arm ( weird ) and the smell has definitely changed to a very acrid smell.
  • slightly: The Guardian Nature notes The sweet, slightly acrid scent of privet pervades the streets from garden hedges.