corrosive

IPA/kəˈrəʊsɪv/
KK[kɚˈosɪv]IPA/kəˈrəʊsɪv/

corrosive — adjective

  • corrosivepositive
  • more corrosivecomparative
  • most corrosivesuperlative

1. able to eat into and break down materials such as metal or skin through a chemic

1.形容詞B2
釋義

able to eat into and break down materials such as metal or skin through a chemical reaction — used especially of concentrated acids and strong alkalis

例句

The lab stored corrosive chemicals like sulfuric acid in a locked cabinet.

collocation: corrosive chemicals

Yuki wore thick gloves when handling the corrosive cleaning fluid at work.

同義詞
  • caustic

    more intense; often used for very strong alkalis as well as acids

  • acidic

    narrower — refers specifically to acid-based corrosion, not alkalis

  • erosive

    gradual wearing away, commonly used for wind, water, or friction rather than chemicals

反義詞
  • inert

    chemically inactive; does not react with other substances

用法筆記

Subject is always a substance, chemical, or material — never a person. Common in scientific, industrial, and safety-warning contexts.

常見錯誤

❌The fumes from the cleaning product were corrosive and I felt dizzy.
✅The fumes from the cleaning product were toxic and I felt dizzy.
💡'corrosive' means it burns or eats away material on contact; 'toxic' means poisonous when breathed in or swallowed.

2. describes speech or behaviour that slowly damages relationships or morale — for

2.形容詞C1
釋義

describes speech or behaviour that slowly damages relationships or morale — for example, constant sarcasm, bitter jealousy, or unchecked resentment

例句

Paloma watched the corrosive effect of gossip turn two close colleagues into bitter rivals within weeks.

collocation: corrosive effect of [negative thing]

Hannah's corrosive sarcasm during team meetings slowly wore down everyone's confidence.

collocation: corrosive sarcasm

同義詞
  • destructive

    broader and more sudden in effect; does not imply the slow, wearing-away quality of 'corrosive'

  • toxic

    overlaps strongly but emphasises poisoning rather than gradual erosion

  • damaging

    more general and neutral; lacks the vivid, eating-away imagery

反義詞
  • healing

    restores emotional wellbeing rather than damaging it

  • constructive

    builds up relationships or morale instead of wearing them down

用法筆記

Subject is usually an abstract quality or behaviour (sarcasm, jealousy, influence, atmosphere). Distinguish from sense 1: this sense never describes a physical chemical reaction.

常見錯誤

❌He was corrosive to me yesterday when I dropped his phone.
✅He spoke harshly to me yesterday when I dropped his phone.
💡'corrosive' describes a slow, gradual damage over time, not a single angry outburst.