caustic

/ˈkɔːstɪk/ (bre, ipa) · [kˈɔstɪk] /ˈkɔːstɪk/ (ame, ipa) · [kˈɑstɪk] /ˈkȯ-stik How to pronounce caustic (audio)/ (ame, mw)

caustic — 形容詞

  • causticpositive
  • more causticcomparative
  • most causticsuperlative

1. able to burn skin or eat into material because of a strong chemical action.

1.形容詞C1
釋義

腐蝕性的

會因化學作用灼傷或腐蝕的

able to burn skin or eat into material because of a strong chemical action.

例句

The nurse warned Elena not to spill the caustic cleaner on her skin.

護士警告 Elena，不要把這種腐蝕性清潔劑灑到她的皮膚上。

caustic + cleaner that can burn skin

Workers wore thick gloves while moving barrels of caustic waste.

工人在搬運腐蝕性廢料桶時戴上了厚手套。

safety gear with caustic waste

同義詞
  • corrosive

    broader technical word for something that eats away material

  • burning

    plain description of the physical effect, less technical than caustic

反義詞
  • 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

❌The glue is caustic because it smells strong.
✅The glue is caustic because it can burn skin.
💡caustic refers to chemical damage, not simply a strong smell.

2. using sharp words that sting, often with open dislike or sarcasm.

2.形容詞C2
釋義

刻薄的

話語尖酸傷人，常帶諷刺

using sharp words that sting, often with open dislike or sarcasm.

例句

Nia made a caustic joke about the new logo at lunch.

Nia 在午餐時拿新標誌開了一個很刻薄的玩笑。

caustic + joke showing cutting sarcasm

The columnist's caustic review upset the director before opening night.

這位專欄作家刻薄的評論，在首演前就惹火了導演。

collocation: caustic review

同義詞
  • biting

    more everyday word for remarks that hurt sharply

  • acerbic

    close literary synonym, often suggesting clever sharpness

  • scathing

    stronger and more openly destructive than caustic

反義詞
  • kind

    describes words meant to spare rather than wound

  • gentle

    suggests soft criticism without a cutting edge

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

❌She gave me caustic advice before the exam.
✅She gave me harsh advice before the exam.
💡caustic usually describes cutting remarks or tone, often with sarcasm.

caustic — 名詞