adjective
acrid
AK-rid/ˈækrɪd/
Sharply harsh or irritating.
Acrid smoke drifts from the scorched pan into the kitchen.
Etymology
The Latin root already described sharpness experienced by the senses, including pungent and bitter sensations—the core of the English meaning. The adjective ending was probably modeled on acid.
In context
If you smell a faint acrid odor in the air, your food is starting to burn and you have about five seconds to save it.
More examples
- The cleaner leaves an acrid smell in the hallway.
- An acrid taste lingered after the burned toast.
- His acrid reply ended any hope of a friendly discussion.