Acid

Definition

Acid is a noun used to describe a substance with a pH level below 7, often having a sour taste and capable of turning blue litmus paper red. Acids can donate protons (H⁺) or accept electron pairs, often reacting with bases to form salts. It is also used as an adjective to describe things that are sour, sharp, or corrosive.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Adjective

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈæsɪd/
• Respelling: AS-id

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈæsɪd/
• Respelling: AS-id

The pronunciation of "acid" is the same in both American and British English.

Etymology

The word "acid" originates from the Latin "acidus," meaning "sour" or "sharp." The term was adopted into English in the 17th century to describe substances that produce sour-tasting solutions and have a distinct chemical behavior.

Derivatives

• Acidity (noun)
• Acidic (adjective)
• Acidify (verb)
• Acidosis (noun)
• Nonacidic (adjective)

Synonyms

• Corrosive
• Tart
• Sour

Antonyms

• Base
• Alkaline
• Neutral

Usage

The term "acid" is commonly used in chemistry, where it refers to compounds with specific properties, such as the ability to donate hydrogen ions and a pH less than 7. It is also used in everyday language to describe substances with a sour taste, such as citric acid in lemons. In industrial contexts, acids are used in various applications, including cleaning, food preservation, and manufacturing. The adjective form describes things that have sour or sharp qualities.

Related Terms

• Base: A substance with a pH above 7, often capable of accepting protons or donating electron pairs.
• pH: A scale used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of a substance.
• Neutralization: A chemical reaction between an acid and a base that produces a salt and water.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A substance with a pH less than 7: Describes a chemical compound that can donate protons or accept electrons, often reacting with bases to produce salts.
  • Example: "Vinegar is a mild acid used in cooking."

Adjective

• Describing something sour or sharp: Used to describe taste or characteristics that are tart or corrosive.
  • Example: "The lemon has an acid flavor."