caustic
/ˈkɔːstɪk/ (bre, ipa) · [kˈɔstɪk] /ˈkɔːstɪk/ (ame, ipa) · [kˈɑstɪk] /ˈkȯ-stik How to pronounce caustic (audio)/ (ame, mw)
caustic — adjective
- causticpositive
- more causticcomparative
- most causticsuperlative
1. able to burn skin or eat into material because of a strong chemical action.
able to burn skin or eat into material because of a strong chemical action.
The nurse warned Elena not to spill the caustic cleaner on her skin.
caustic + cleaner that can burn skin
Workers wore thick gloves while moving barrels of caustic waste.
safety gear with caustic waste
A drop of caustic soda left a white mark on the table.
Rohan rinsed the pan at once after touching the caustic liquid.
The label says this spray is too caustic for bare hands.
- mild
describes a chemical that is not strong enough to burn in the same way
文法句型
caustic + noun
too caustic for [surface/body part]
caustic enough to burn [something]
用法筆記
Most often used for cleaners, liquids, waste, and industrial chemicals that can physically burn skin or damage other materials.
常見錯誤
2. using sharp words that sting, often with open dislike or sarcasm.
using sharp words that sting, often with open dislike or sarcasm.
Nia made a caustic joke about the new logo at lunch.
caustic + joke showing cutting sarcasm
The columnist's caustic review upset the director before opening night.
collocation: caustic review
During the meeting, Otis gave a caustic reply to every suggestion.
Talia's caustic posts about the singer kept starting arguments online.
Even the waiter looked shocked by Christopher's caustic answer to his sister.
文法句型
caustic + noun
be caustic about [person/thing]
speak in a caustic tone
用法筆記
Usually describes remarks, replies, reviews, humour, or tone. It suggests language that hurts as it criticizes, rather than calm or balanced criticism.
常見錯誤
caustic — noun
1. a chemical that burns living tissue on contact, such as certain strong acids or
a chemical that burns living tissue on contact, such as certain strong acids or bases.
The doctor used a mild caustic to remove the wart on Kenji's hand.
a caustic used in treatment
A bottle of caustic leaked inside the cupboard and ruined the wood.
a caustic as a dangerous stored chemical
Each caustic in the cabinet had a bright warning label.
After the spill, firefighters covered the caustic with dry sand.
The manual explains which caustics must never be stored near food.
文法句型
a caustic
mild / strong caustic
handle caustics carefully
用法筆記
A technical noun used in medicine, cleaning, and industrial safety for a substance that can burn flesh or other material.