acidity
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the amount of acid in a substance, such as soil, water, or a chemical liquid.
the chemical state or quality of being acid, typically measured on the pH scale. Uncountable in its general sense; countable when referring to specific levels or instances.
Simple“The gardener tested the soil's acidity to see if it was right for the roses.”
In context“High levels of ocean acidity can have devastating effects on coral reefs and other marine organisms that rely on calcium carbonate.”
Synonymsph levelsournessAntonymsalkalinity - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a sharp, sour, or tart taste in food and drink, like in lemons or coffee.
the sharp, tart, or sour sensory quality of a foodstuff or beverage. Often used as a positive attribute in professional tasting contexts like coffee or wine.
Simple“I like this white wine because it has a refreshing acidity.”
In context“The chef added a squeeze of lime to the dish to balance the richness of the coconut milk with a bit of acidity.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
too much acid in your stomach, which can cause a burning feeling.
a condition of excessive acid in the gastric secretions, often leading to discomfort or heartburn.
Simple“Eating spicy food late at night often gives him painful acidity.”
In context“The patient was prescribed antacids to neutralise the excess acidity that was causing chronic indigestion.”
Synonymsheartburnacid reflux - 04 C2 Proficiency
a sharp, unkind, or bitter way of speaking or writing.
a caustic, biting, or bitter quality in expression or temperament. Figurative use.
Simple“There was a hint of acidity in her voice when she mentioned her rival.”
In context“The critic's review was marked by an unexpected acidity that seemed more personal than professional.”
Synonyms
From French acidité, from Latin aciditātem, accusative singular of aciditās (“sourness, acidity”), from acidus (“sour, acid”). Equivalent to acid + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.