Caustic was formed in Middle English as an adjective describing chemical substances, such as lime and lye, that are capable of destroying or eating away at something. The word is based on the Latin …

CAUSTIC definition: capable of burning, corroding, or destroying living tissue. See examples of caustic used in a sentence.

CAUSTIC definition: 1. A caustic chemical burns or destroys things, especially anything made of living cells: 2. A…. Learn more.

Definition of caustic adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Use the adjective caustic to describe any chemical that is able to burn living tissue or other substances, or, figuratively, a statement that has a similarly burning effect.

Caustic chemical substances are very powerful and can dissolve other substances. ...caustic cleaning agents. Remember that this is caustic; use gloves or a spoon.

Jan 20, 2026 · caustic (countable and uncountable, plural caustics) Any substance or means which, applied to animal or other organic tissue, burns, corrodes, or destroys it by chemical action; an …

6 days ago · At a Glance Caustic soda, lye, and sodium hydroxide are identical (NaOH, molecular weight 40 g/mol, pH 14 in solution) “Lye” refers to household applications like soap making and drain …

An agent or preparation having an effect on the skin or other tissues resembling that of a burn caused by heat; spec. (more fully potential caustic) one that is used to destroy abnormal tissue.

Caustic typically refers to a substance that is able to burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical reaction. In a broader sense, it can also describe a style of speaking or writing that is harshly critical, bitter or …