Acidulous

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /əˈsɪdjʊləs/

Definitions

1. somewhat tart or tangy in flavor, or subtly biting and cutting in speech or temperament
2. having a mildly sour quality in taste or a gently caustic quality in disposition or remarks
3. Containing a faint sourness that is noticeable but not overpowering in flavor ; exhibiting a subtly sharp or biting quality in speech or personality

Etymology: "Acidulous" is a diminutive in disguise: it comes from the Latin "acidulus," meaning "sourish," a little sour. That Latin word was built from "acidus," "sour," the root that also gives English "acid." So the word describes something that is sour, but only mildly, the way a green apple or a tart drink is. English borrowed the term directly from Latin, which is why it sounds more formal than everyday words for sourness. Its surface structure suggests three pieces, "acid," "-ule," and "-ous," but the Latin diminutive ending "-ulus" was already part of the original word, so the English form simply carries that Latin shape over intact. The result is a word whose sound and spelling quietly announce that its meaning is softened.

Synonyms: sour, tart, sharp, bitter, acerbic

Antonyms: sweet, bland, mild, smooth, neutral