Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

acerb

/əˈsɜɹb/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 0.00 in modern English

Syllables: acerb
IPA: /əˈsɜɹb/

9

Scrabble Score

5

Letters

1

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Sour, bitter, and harsh to the taste, such as unripe fruit.

Archaic

adj

Sharp and harsh in expressing oneself.

Archaic

Example Sentences

"If you put Spirit of Sulphur to the Peruvian Bark, it then becomes very acerb. If you mix Mercury with Spirit of Nitre or Oil of Vitriol whilst it boils, it then is very acerb."
"As to the somewhat acerb remarks of the member for Jacques Cartier, I may pass them over […]"

Etymology

From Latin acerbus, from Latin ācer (“sharp”): compare French acerbe. See acrid.

Origin

Source language: Latin

Word Breakdown

Root: acerbus, ācer

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /əˈsɜɹb/
British English: /əˈsɜːb/

Usage

Archaic

Inflected Forms

acerber (comparative) more acerb (comparative) acerbest (superlative) most acerb (superlative)

Derived Forms

acerbly

Frequently Paired Words

acerbate acerbically acerbity exacerbate

Synonyms

acerbic acid acrid bitter blistering caustic sulfurous sulphurous virulent vitriolic

Rhymes With

superb curb herb verb disturb serb reverb blurb kerb refurb perturb birb

Questions

How do you pronounce acerb?: The recorded pronunciation is /əˈsɜɹb/.
What does acerb mean?: Sour, bitter, and harsh to the taste, such as unripe fruit.
Where does acerb come from?: It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce acerb

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “acerb”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/əˈsɜɹb/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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Repeat and practice — Say “acerb” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.