acidity

EN
noun

🇺🇸

/ˌæsɪˈdɪti/

🇺🇸

/ˌæsɪˈdɪti/

🇬🇧

/ˌæsəˈdɪti/

🇬🇧

/ˌæsəˈdɪti/

Word Forms

Plural

acidities

Description

Acidity refers to the quality or degree of being sour or acidic — chemically, it's a measure of how many hydrogen ions (H⁺) are present in a solution, often expressed as pH; think of lemon juice’s tangy bite or heartburn’s burning sensation caused by stomach acid rising too high.

Examples

The wine has a pleasant acidity that balances its sweetness.

Farmers test soil acidity before planting crops to ensure optimal growth.

Excessive stomach acidity can cause discomfort and acid reflux.

Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits are known for their high acidity.

This skincare product is formulated to match the natural acidity of healthy skin.

Root

acid

Comes from the Latin noun 'acidus' (meaning 'sour, sharp, tart') and verb 'acere' (to be sour), ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root *ak- ('sharp, pointed'). It conveys the core concept of sourness, sharpness, or chemical corrosiveness. Examples include acid, acidity, acidic, acidify, acrid, and acetate.