acerb
acerb · acerber · acerbest
Sour, bitter, and harsh to the taste, such as unripe fruitSour, bitter, and harsh to the taste, such as unripe fruit.
UK/əˈsɜːb/US/əˈsɜɹb/
Meaning
2 senses(archaic)Sour, bitter, and harsh to the taste, such as unripe fruit.
терпкийterpkij
sour or bitter in taste
(archaic, figuratively)Sharp and harsh in expressing oneself.
едкийjedkij, резкийrezkij, жёсткийžóstkij
harsh or corrosive in tone
Translations
6 languagesРусский
bitter to the taste:
sharp and harsh in expression:
Origin
From Latin acerbus, from Latin ācer (“sharp”): compare French acerbe. See acrid.From Latin acerbus, from Latin ācer (“sharp”): compare French acerbe. See acrid.
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
acerber/more acerb, acerbest/most acerb| Comparative | acerber / more acerb Lesson |
|---|---|
| Superlative | acerbest / most acerb Lesson |
regular
Synonyms
11 synonymsClose in meaning
- harsh or corrosive in tone:acerbicacidacridbitterblisteringcausticsulfuroussulphurous
- sour or bitter in taste:acerbicastringent
Word family
5 related wordsDerivedacerbly
Lessons for this word
2 lessons- A2Comparatives — Because it has a comparative form
- A2Superlatives — Because it has a superlative form