Word
caustic
Phoneticscaus·tic, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɑstɪk/
UK/kˈɔːstɪk/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a substance that can burn or damage things it touches. It is often used to describe strong chemicals like bleach or acid.
n. a substance that is capable of burning or corroding living tissue or other organic matter. Often used to describe strong alkalis or acids that cause chemical burns upon contact.
Examples
“The worker wore thick gloves to handle the caustic cleaner.”
“The lab safety manual warns that the caustic solution must be diluted before it is poured down the drain.”
“While the chemical is essential for industrial cleaning, its caustic nature requires strict safety protocols to prevent accidental exposure to the skin or eyes.”
Examples
simple
“The worker wore thick gloves to handle the caustic cleaner.”
contextual
“The lab safety manual warns that the caustic solution must be diluted before it is poured down the drain.”
complex
“While the chemical is essential for industrial cleaning, its caustic nature requires strict safety protocols to prevent accidental exposure to the skin or eyes.”
Real-World Examples
“For me, its winning blend of caustic discomfort and a big heart also evokes that other great TV love story: Tim and Dawn in the original UK run of The Office.” “Vulture is a caustic study of what it means to report from a conflict, and particularly relevant to the current moment.” Etymology
From the Latin causticus (“burning”), from Ancient Greek καυστικός (kaustikós, “burning”), from καυστός (kaustós, “burnt”) + -ικός (-ikós).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/caustic