How to Pronounce Caustic

To pronounce "caustic", say CAUST-ic — 2 syllables, IPA /ˈkɒstɪk/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

caustic

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Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

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Syllables

Letters

/ˈkɒstɪk/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “caustic”

"caustic" has 2 syllables: caust-ic. It rhymes with gnostic and agnostic, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: kostic — easy to mix up when writing.

What does caustic mean?

noun

Any substance or means which, applied to animal or other organic tissue, burns, corrodes, or destroys it by chemical action; an escharotic.
The envelope of reflected or refracted rays of light for a given surface or object.

adjective

Capable of burning, corroding or destroying organic tissue.
(of language, etc.) Sharp, bitter, cutting, biting, and sarcastic in a scathing way.

Synonyms

acidic biting burning corrosive searing bitchy catty

Hear “caustic” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with caustic

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

gnostic agnostic diagnostic nostoc bostic kostic mostek ostic

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "caustic"?▾

"Caustic" has 2 syllables: caust · ic.

What is the IPA transcription of "caustic"?▾

The IPA transcription of "caustic" is /ˈkɒstɪk/.

What does "caustic" mean?▾

Caustic: Any substance or means which, applied to animal or other organic tissue, burns, corrodes, or destroys it by chemical action; an escharotic.

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