What does acidulent mean?
Acidulent is a rare and rather literary adjective describing something that tastes mildly sour or acidic — pleasantly tart rather than harshly sharp. It belongs mostly to the vocabulary of food and drink writing, where critics use it to praise the refreshing tang of wine, cider, fruit, or sauces that cuts through richness and enlivens the palate. The word derives from Latin acidus, meaning sour, combined with the suffix -ulent, which suggests abundance or fullness of a quality; it is thus closely related to acidulous, its more frequently encountered sibling. Because it is uncommon, acidulent lends prose a precise, connoisseurial tone: to call a dish acidulent is not to fault it but to note a desirable brightness. Writers seeking variety beyond 'tart', 'sharp', or 'zesty' may find it a useful, if showy, addition to their descriptive palette.
adjectiveSlightly sour or acidic in taste; having a mildly sharp, tart quality.
- Having a mildly sour or acidic taste; pleasantly tart.
"The wine's acidulent finish cut cleanly through the richness of the cheese."
"A squeeze of lemon gave the sauce a bright, acidulent edge."
"The critic praised the cider for its crisp, acidulent character."
Acidulent comes from Latin acidus, 'sour' — the same root that gave us vinegar's sharp bite and the word 'acid' itself.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of acidulent
Acidulent comes from the Latin adjective acidus, meaning sour or tart, joined to the suffix -ulentus, which indicates possession of a quality in some degree. It entered English in the early 17th century alongside related forms such as acidulous. It shares its root with the broader family of acid words, including acidity, acidify, and acid itself.
Related word forms
How acidulent is actually used
Acidulent is a rare, formal word found chiefly in food and drink writing, where it conveys a pleasing tartness rather than harsh sourness. The more common synonym is 'acidulous'.
Easily confused with acidulent
Acidulated means made slightly acidic by the addition of an acid (as in acidulated water), while acidulent describes something naturally or inherently somewhat sour.