French word

acide

Pronunciation

IPA/asid/

Meaning

  • adjectivesour

Example

Ce yaourt est acide.

This yogurt is sour.

Illustration for acide (sour)

More examples

Son ton était acide pendant la réunion.

His tone was biting during the meeting.

Core concept

A penetrating sourness that may describe taste, chemical action, or a sharp verbal attack.

Common phrases

  • goût acide

    sour taste

  • saveur acide

    sour flavor

Similar words

aigre: Having a sharp, biting sour taste, especially in fruit or dairy products.
acidulé: Having a light, refreshing tartness with a hint of sweetness.

Definition in French

Qui a une saveur aigre ou piquante; qui contient de l'acide; employé aussi au sens figuré pour une remarque mordante.

Word origin

The word acide derives from Latin acidus, 'sour', which is related to the Latin verb acere, 'to be sour'.

Usage tips

  • In figurative use, une remarque acide means a biting remark rather than a comment about acidity.

Other meanings

  • acidnoun
  • acerbicadjective

Opposites

  • sucrésweetadjective
  • douxmildadjective

Related words

  • aciditéaciditynoun
  • acidulétangyadjective
  • acidifieracidifyverb

Word lists with this word