English Reference

Word

lactic

Phoneticslac·tic

US/ˈɫæktɪk/

UK/lˈæktɪk/

Definition

adj. relating to milk or the acid that builds up in your muscles when you exercise hard.

adj. relating to milk or the acid produced in muscle tissue during anaerobic respiration. Often used in medical or biological contexts to describe specific chemical properties.

Examples

“The doctor tested the sample for lactic acid.”

“After a long run, the buildup of lactic acid in his legs caused a sharp, burning pain.”

“The fermentation process converts the natural sugars in the milk into lactic acid, which gives the final product its characteristic tangy flavor and thick texture.”

Examples

simple

“The doctor tested the sample for lactic acid.”

contextual

“After a long run, the buildup of lactic acid in his legs caused a sharp, burning pain.”

complex

“The fermentation process converts the natural sugars in the milk into lactic acid, which gives the final product its characteristic tangy flavor and thick texture.”

Real-World Examples

“This study provides scientific evidence that kimchi-derived lactic acid bacteria may interact with environmental micropollutants beyond their traditional role in fermentation.”
ScienceDaily · 17 Sept 2026
“During fermentation, lactic acid bacteria broke down most of the lactose, leaving very little behind by the time the cheeses were ready to eat.”
ScienceDaily · 17 Aug 2026

Etymology

From Latin lactis (“of milk”), genitive form of lac (“milk”), with the suffix -ic.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference