Vocabulary Spotlight

Acetic

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition: Relating to or containing acetic acid, which gives vinegar its sour taste and smell.

“The acetic aroma in the lab indicated a vinegar-based experiment was in progress.”

Pronunciation

[uh-SEE-tik]

Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words

Synonyms

Vinegary
Sour
Pungent
Acrid
Tart

Antonyms

Sweet
Mild
Smooth
Pleasant
Flavorful

Related Words

Acetate
Acidic
Acidic acid

Word Origin

“Acetic” is derived from the Latin word “acetum,” meaning “vinegar.”

Word Family

Adjective: Acetic – Relating to or containing acetic acid.

Noun: Acetate – A salt or ester of acetic acid.

Mnemonics

Think “A Sour Scent” – Acetic relates to the sourness or acidity of vinegar.

Industry-specific Usage

Chemistry

In chemistry, acetic acid is commonly used in labs to create solutions with specific pH levels.

Culinary

Acetic qualities give vinegar its characteristic flavor, used widely in sauces and marinades.

Medicine

In medicine, acetic acid is sometimes used in solutions for disinfecting and sterilizing.

In Context

Acetic describes the sharp, sour qualities often associated with vinegar, and is useful in various fields such as cooking, chemistry, and medicine for its acidic properties.

Vocabulary Challenges

1. Which is a synonym of “Acetic”?

Sweet
Smooth
Mild
Vinegary

‘Vinegary’ is correct as both acetic and vinegary describe the sour qualities of vinegar.

2. Fill in the blank: The _______ smell of vinegar filled the room as the bottle was opened.

sweet
smooth
acetic
mild

‘Acetic’ is correct as it describes the sour smell associated with vinegar.

3. In which context would “acetic” be MOST appropriate?

Describing a sweet dessert
Discussing the properties of vinegar
Referring to a smooth flavor
Explaining a gentle aroma

‘Discussing the properties of vinegar’ is correct as acetic relates to vinegar’s acidic quality.