caustic
Pronunciation
Adjective
B2 Upper-intermediate
Quick answer
Able to burn or corrode through chemical action, or, when describing speech, harshly critical.
Synonyms and antonyms
Usage notes
"Caustic" is often used for cutting remarks too, as in "a caustic review", separate from its chemical sense.
Test yourself
Which word fits the gap? "The _____ cleaning solution had to be handled with gloves and goggles."
Answer: caustic
In your own words, what does "caustic" mean?
Able to burn or corrode through chemical action, or, when describing speech, harshly critical.
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