YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

acerbic

Adjective

IPA /əˈsɜːbɪk/

Understand it. Say it. Use it.

UNDERSTAND THE WORD

Meaning in plain English

Using sharp, unkind criticism that can hurt someone's feelings, especially in speech or writing.

SAY IT ALOUD

Pronunciation

acerbic/əˈsɜːbɪk/

SEE IT IN EVERYDAY ENGLISH

Examples in context

Read the examples aloud. Notice how the word fits the sentence, then think of a situation of your own.

His acerbic remark about dinner upset everyone at the table.
The reviewer made several acerbic comments about the proposed design.

MAKE IT STICK

Quick word quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the word?

Complete the example using the word from this lesson.

His ________ remark about dinner upset everyone at the table.

Show the answer

acerbic — Using sharp, unkind criticism that can hurt someone's feelings, especially in speech or writing.

Try your own sentence (optional)

Make it yours

Write one sentence using “acerbic” about your own life.

Your sentence (optional)

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

Using sharp, unkind criticism that can hurt someone's feelings, especially in speech or writing.

Compare: His acerbic remark about dinner upset everyone at the table.

Check the spelling and how the word fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.

This quiz is for practice. To save lesson completion on this device, complete the checks in the app.

Word origin

From Latin acerbus, meaning sour or harsh, with the adjective ending -ic.

Did you know?

Acerbic can describe comments, humour, a tone or a person who speaks sharply.

Explore related words

Open a word’s lesson when available, or explore entries that use the related term.

Make the word your own

Say the word aloud and read an example sentence.
Write a new sentence about something familiar to you.
Cover the meaning and try explaining the word in your own words.

Continue with the app’s practice check, then try a sentence of your own to mark this word complete.

Practise this word in the app

Completion and saved words stay in this browser on this device.