acerbic
Say it: uh-SUR-bik /əˈsəːbɪk/ · adjective
What “acerbic” means
Sharp and bitter in what you say, often with wit.
More precisely: Sharp and forthright, with a cutting or bitter wit.
Example: “Her acerbic restaurant reviews are feared by every chef in town.”
When to use it
Use it for blunt, cutting comments or reviews whose humour has a bitter edge; it often suggests discomfort.
Memory trick
Latin “acerbus” means sour-tasting: imagine a remark as sharp as sour fruit.
Similar words
sharp, cutting, biting
Where it comes from
From Latin acerbus, 'sour-tasting'.
Quick check
A reviewer calls a bland soup “warm water with ambition”, delivering the verdict with a sour smile. Their wit is…
acerbic or complimentary?
Show the answer
acerbic
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