acerbic
UK/ә'sә:bik/US
GREC2
Definitions
adj.
Sharp, cutting, and bitter in tone or manner.
（语气、态度）尖刻的，刻薄的，辛辣的。
adj.
Sour or bitter in taste.
（味道）酸涩的，苦的。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedacerb (sour, bitter) + -ic (having the quality of) = 'sour.' Today it mostly describes tone: an acerbic remark is sharp and stinging, like biting an unripe fruit. The taste sense survives but is rarer.
Root acerb still carries 3 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.acerbic wit辛辣的机智
- 2.acerbic remark刻薄的话
- 3.acerbic tone尖刻的语气
- 4.acerbic comment尖酸的评论
Example Sentences
- 1.
The critic was known for his acerbic reviews.
- 2.
She made an acerbic comment about his lateness.
- 3.
His acerbic wit made people laugh and wince at once.