caustic
caustic Lexical Profile
caustic Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Sarcastic in a scathing, bitter, or severely critical way.
"The critic's caustic review of the play left the director visibly shaken."
Able to burn, corrode, or destroy organic tissue by chemical action; strongly alkaline.
"Laboratory technicians must wear heavy protective gloves when handling caustic solutions like sodium hydroxide."
• noun
A chemical substance that burns or destroys organic tissue, especially a strong alkali such as sodium hydroxide.
"The drain cleaner contains a powerful caustic designed to dissolve grease and hair."
In optics, the envelope of light rays reflected or refracted by a curved surface or object, appearing as a bright pattern of concentrated light.
"Sunlight passing through the water glass cast a bright, curved caustic across the wooden tabletop."
Word Nuance & Usage
In everyday chemical usage, 'caustic' often specifically denotes strong alkaline bases (such as lye or sodium hydroxide), whereas 'corrosive' applies more broadly to both acids and bases. Figuratively, 'caustic' describes remarks that are sharply sarcastic and emotionally stinging.
• Rhymes for caustic
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed via Latin 'causticus' from Ancient Greek 'kaustikos' (capable of burning), derived from the verb 'kaiein' (to burn), which also shares a root with 'cauterize' and 'holocaust'.