corrosive

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /kəˈroʊsɪv/ UK /kəˈrəʊsɪv/ See IPA manual

Freq #33958

Meanings

1

adj
able to destroy or damage a material gradually through chemical action

The technicians wore face shields while handling the corrosive liquid.
2

adj
gradually damaging or undermining beliefs, relationships, institutions, or well-being

Persistent mistrust had a corrosive effect on the partnership.
3

noun
a substance capable of seriously damaging tissue or other material on contact

The cabinet is designed to store acids and other corrosives safely.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · able to destroy or damage a... causticerosive

2 adj · gradually damaging or... destructive damaging caustic

3 noun · a substance capable of... caustic substancecorrodent

Opposites

noncorrosiveprotective constructive

Word family

Derived forms corrosivelycorrosivenesscorrosivitynoncorrosive

Related forms corrode corrosion caustic

Etymology

Through Old French corrosif from Medieval Latin corrosivus, based on Latin corrodere ("to gnaw away"), from com- (intensive) + rodere ("to gnaw"). The figurative sense preserves the idea of slow, destructive eating away.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# corrosive

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** adj, noun
**IPA (US):** /kəˈroʊsɪv/
**IPA (UK):** /kəˈrəʊsɪv/
**Frequency rank:** 33958

## Meanings
1. able to destroy or damage a material gradually through chemical action
2. gradually damaging or undermining beliefs, relationships, institutions, or well-being
3. a substance capable of seriously damaging tissue or other material on contact

## Examples
- The technicians wore face shields while handling the corrosive liquid.
- Persistent mistrust had a corrosive effect on the partnership.
- The cabinet is designed to store acids and other corrosives safely.

## Synonyms
- caustic
- erosive
- destructive
- damaging

## Antonyms
- noncorrosive
- protective
- constructive

## Derived Forms
- corrosively
- corrosiveness
- corrosivity
- noncorrosive

## Related Forms
- corrode
- corrosion
- caustic

## Etymology
Through Old French corrosif from Medieval Latin corrosivus, based on Latin corrodere ("to gnaw away"), from com- (intensive) + rodere ("to gnaw"). The figurative sense preserves the idea of slow, destructive eating away.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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