Acrid
/ˈækrɪd/noun
Having a sharp, bitter, or irritating taste or smell; harsh and biting in manner.
Did you know?Acrid comes from the same ancient root as words for sharpness and pointiness, showing how early speakers used physical edge to describe an irritating taste or odor.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ak-
“to be sharp, pointed”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ákros / ákis
“sharp, pointed, at the top or edge”
Latin
Latin
acer, acris
“sharp, pungent, bitter, keen”
Late Latin
Latin
acridus
“sharp, pungent, biting”
16th Century
English
acrid
“sharp-tasting, pungent”
Modern English
English
acrid
“harshly sharp or irritating in taste, smell, or tone”