caustic chemical

Meanings

1. 1nouncountabletechnicalspecialist

   A substance that can burn or eat away materials, especially living tissue, on contact.

   Grammar: Countable: a caustic chemical, many caustic chemicals.

   Patterns

   • a caustic chemical
   • caustic chemicals
   • handle caustic chemicals

   Always wear gloves when handling caustic chemicals like lye.

   The lab stores caustic chemicals in a locked cabinet.

   Spilling a caustic chemical on your skin can cause severe burns.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nountechnicalspecialist

   Describing a substance that can burn or corrode things it touches.

   Grammar: Used before a noun: caustic soda, caustic solution.

   Patterns

   • caustic substance
   • caustic solution
   • caustic soda

   Caustic soda is used in soap making but must be handled carefully.

   The warning label says the product contains a caustic substance.

   Never mix caustic cleaners with other chemicals.

Word forms

Common combinations

caustic soda

Caustic soda is a common name for sodium hydroxide.

caustic substance

The spill was caused by a caustic substance leaking from a pipe.

handle caustic chemicals

Workers are trained to handle caustic chemicals safely.

caustic solution

The lab technician prepared a caustic solution for the experiment.

Synonyms and how they differ

corrosive

Similar but broader: corrosive substances can eat away metals and other materials, while caustic often refers specifically to strong bases that burn tissue.

alkaline

Describes a base, but not all alkaline substances are caustic; caustic implies danger on contact.

Opposites

Word family

caustic adjective

Able to burn or corrode.

caustically adverb

In a bitter or sarcastic way (figurative use).

Commonly confused: caustic chemical or acidic?

Practice

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