# acidity

/əˈsɪdəti/ (US) · /æsˈɪdɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/acidity
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. chemical level

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the amount of acid in a substance, such as soil, water, or a chemical liquid.

For teachers: 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.

- The gardener tested the soil's acidity to see if it was right for the roses.
- High levels of ocean acidity can have devastating effects on coral reefs and other marine organisms that rely on calcium carbonate.

### 2. sour taste

noun · CEFR B2

a sharp, sour, or tart taste in food and drink, like in lemons or coffee.

For teachers: 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.

- I like this white wine because it has a refreshing acidity.
- The chef added a squeeze of lime to the dish to balance the richness of the coconut milk with a bit of acidity.

### 3. stomach acid

noun · CEFR B2

too much acid in your stomach, which can cause a burning feeling.

For teachers: a condition of excessive acid in the gastric secretions, often leading to discomfort or heartburn.

- Eating spicy food late at night often gives him painful acidity.
- The patient was prescribed antacids to neutralise the excess acidity that was causing chronic indigestion.

### 4. bitterness in speech

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

a sharp, unkind, or bitter way of speaking or writing.

For teachers: a caustic, biting, or bitter quality in expression or temperament. Figurative use.

- There was a hint of acidity in her voice when she mentioned her rival.
- The critic's review was marked by an unexpected acidity that seemed more personal than professional.

## Examples

- The high acidity in lemons makes them taste very sour.
- Farmers often test the acidity of their soil to ensure it is suitable for growing specific crops like blueberries.
- Winemakers carefully balance the acidity of the grapes with sugar content to ensure the final product has a crisp finish rather than a flat or overly sharp profile.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.