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adj Uncommon

corrosive

kuh-ROH-sihv

Corrosive (adj) means Capable of gradually destroying material through chemical action. Example: “The lab stores corrosive acids in sealed containers.”

adj
1
Capable of gradually destroying material through chemical action.
"The lab stores corrosive acids in sealed containers."
2
Gradually damaging or undermining something, often used figuratively.
"His corrosive comments damaged team morale for weeks."

How to use corrosive

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething that eats away at material, or figuratively, something that steadily damages a relationship or reputation.

Common pairings
corrosive chemical corrosive effect corrosive relationship

Word forms

more corrosive comparative, corrosives plural, most corrosive superlative

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The lab stores _____ acids in sealed containers.

Etymology

From Old French corrosif — related to "corrosion" and "corrode".

Origin: Old French

Rhymes for corrosive

See all rhymes for corrosive →

Frequently asked questions

What does “corrosive” mean?

The word “corrosive” means capable of gradually destroying material through chemical action. In plain terms, something that eats away at material, or figuratively, something that steadily damages a relationship or reputation.

How do you pronounce “corrosive”?

“Corrosive” is pronounced kuh-ROH-sihv (/kəˈɹoʊsɪv/ in IPA).

How do you use “corrosive” in a sentence?

Here is “corrosive” used in a sentence: “The lab stores corrosive acids in sealed containers.”

What part of speech is “corrosive”?

“Corrosive” is an adjective.

Where does the word “corrosive” come from?

The word “corrosive” comes from Old French. From Old French corrosif — related to "corrosion" and "corrode".

Is “corrosive” a common word?

“Corrosive” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “corrosive” have?

“Corrosive” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: capable of gradually destroying material through chemical action.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial