Learn a Word Daily — Acerbic
Today’s word is "Acerbic": sharp and forthright, often in tone or taste.
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Word of the Day · December 12, 2025
Acerbic
uh-SIR-bik · adjective
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Definition
- Sharp, biting, or cutting in tone, style, or comment.
- Having a sour or bitter taste.
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Origin & Etymology
From Latin acerbus, meaning “sour, bitter, harsh.” In English it first described sharp or tart flavors, then broadened to describe a sharply critical or biting style of speech or writing.
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Nuance
Acerbic usually describes comments, humor, or criticism that are clever but cutting — entertaining to bystanders, yet a bit painful for the person on the receiving end. It suggests sharpness more than outright cruelty.
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Usage
“His acerbic comments made everyone laugh, even as they stung a little.”
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Fun Fact
Food and wine writers still occasionally use acerbic in its older, literal sense to describe sharply sour or astringent flavors — especially in tart wines, citrus-heavy dishes, or very bitter coffee.
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