Corrosive
/kəˈroʊsɪv/
Definitions
2 meaningsHaving the quality of causing gradual destruction or wearing away of a substance, typically by chemical action.
/kəˈroʊsɪv/
Capable of destroying or eating away at a substance.
The acid was so corrosive that it ate through the metal.
💡 Simply: Imagine something like acid that slowly eats away at things. If something is corrosive, it's like that – it will gradually break things down over time. Like how lemon juice can eat away at your teeth if you drink too much of it.
👶 For kids: Something that slowly eats away at things, like if you leave a toy in the rain and it starts to fall apart.
More Examples
The corrosive fumes caused irritation to the eyes.
Over time, the corrosive effects of the sea damaged the ship's hull.
How It's Used
"Hydrochloric acid is a highly corrosive substance."
"The salt water was corrosive to the car's metal parts."
Causing gradual deterioration or impairment; harmful or destructive.
/kəˈroʊsɪv/
Having a tendency to cause harm or damage, especially through gradual action.
The constant negativity had a corrosive effect on the team's morale.
💡 Simply: It can also describe things that hurt your feelings or relationships slowly, like words or actions that gradually make things worse. Think of mean words chipping away at someone's self-esteem.
👶 For kids: Something that makes things feel bad over time, like if someone keeps saying mean things.
More Examples
Corrosive comments can damage relationships.
The corrosive atmosphere of the office led to high employee turnover.
How It's Used
"His corrosive criticism eroded her confidence."
"The corrosive jealousy destroyed their marriage."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
From Latin corrosus, past participle of corrodere 'to gnaw away', from com- 'together' + rodere 'to gnaw'.
The word's use expanded from describing physical substances to describing the impact of intangible things like emotions or criticism by the 17th century.
Memory tip
Think of acid eating away at metal - a corrosive substance.
Word Origin
"to gnaw away"