adjective
acetic
uh-SET-ik/ʌsˈɛtɪk/
Relating to vinegar or the acid that gives it its sour taste.
Vinegar contains acetic acid, which gives it its sourness.
Etymology
The pieces mean “pertaining to vinegar.” The vinegar word itself originally described wine turned sour, connecting the acid’s name with vinegar’s characteristic sourness.
In context
Acetic acid, or vinegar, which, even in a diluted solution you have in your cupboard, is not something you want to get in your eyes.
More examples
- The laboratory measures the sample's acetic acid concentration.
- An acetic smell drifts from the open vinegar bottle.
- The fermentation process produces acetic acid.
Similar words
- acidic
- Describes acids generally, rather than vinegar's particular acid.
- sour
- Describes a taste without identifying its chemical source.