Meaning & use
lactic acid
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountabletechnicalchemistry
A weak acid produced in muscles during hard exercise and also used in industry and food.
Grammar: No plural: say 'lactic acid builds up', not 'lactic acids'.
Patterns
- lactic acid builds up
- a buildup of lactic acid
- lactic acid fermentation
After the last kilometer, lactic acid had built up in her legs and they felt heavy.
Yogurt and sourdough get their tang from lactic acid made by bacteria.
The lab tested the sample for lactic acid and other organic acids.
noununcountabletechnical
A liquid acid used in skin-care products to smooth and brighten the skin.
Grammar: Also uncountable in this cosmetic sense; often before another noun.
Patterns
- lactic acid peel
- lactic acid serum
- contain lactic acid
This gentle cleanser contains lactic acid, so it suits dry skin.
The dermatologist suggested a mild lactic acid peel once a month.
Common combinations
- lactic acid buildup
- Stretching helps reduce lactic acid buildup after a long run.
- lactic acid bacteria
- Lactic acid bacteria turn milk into yogurt.
- lactic acid fermentation
- Sauerkraut is made by lactic acid fermentation.
- a buildup of lactic acid
- The burning feeling comes from a buildup of lactic acid.
- lactic acid peel
- She booked a lactic acid peel at the clinic.
Synonyms and how they differ
- lactate
- The chemical name for the same substance when it appears as a salt or in the body; 'lactic acid' is the everyday and school term.
Word family
Commonly confused: lactic acid or lactose?
lactic acid vs lactose
Lactose is the sugar in milk, while lactic acid is an acid; people who are lactose intolerant cannot digest the sugar, not the acid.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'lactic acid' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Lactic acid' is uncountable, so it has no plural; option 1 wrongly adds -s, option 2 drops 'acid', and option 3 confuses it with 'lactose'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “lactic acid”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.