Acidulous vs. Acid — What's the Difference?

Slightly Sour

Proton Donor

Tart

Corrosive Substance

Mildly Acidic

Sour Taste

Sharply Flavorful

Chemical Reactant

Pleasantly Sharp

PH Less Than 7

Slightly sour in taste or in manner.

An acid is a molecule or ion capable of either donating a proton (i.e., hydrogen ion, H+), known as a Brønsted–Lowry acid, or, capable of forming a covalent bond with an electron pair, known as a Lewis acid.The first category of acids are the proton donors, or Brønsted–Lowry acids. In the special case of aqueous solutions, proton donors form the hydronium ion H3O+ and are known as Arrhenius acids.

Slightly sour; sub-acid; sourish.

A substance with particular chemical properties including turning litmus red, neutralizing alkalis, and dissolving some metals; typically, a corrosive or sour-tasting liquid of this kind.

(figurative) Sharp; caustic.

A molecule or other species which can donate a proton or accept an electron pair in reactions.

Containing carbonic acid.

The drug LSD

Slightly sour; sub-acid; sourish; as, an acidulous tincture.

Containing acid or having the properties of an acid; having a pH of less than 7.

Tasting sour like acid

Sharp-tasting or sour

(of rock, especially lava) containing a relatively high proportion of silica

Any of a class of substances whose aqueous solutions are characterized by a sour taste, the ability to turn blue litmus red, and the ability to react with bases and certain metals to form salts.

A substance that yields hydrogen ions when dissolved in water.

A substance that can act as a proton donor.

A substance that can accept a pair of electrons to form a covalent bond.

A substance having a sour taste.

The quality of being sarcastic, bitter, or scornful

(Slang) See LSD1.

Of, relating to, or containing an acid.

Having a high concentration of acid.

Having the characteristics of an acid.

Having a pH of less than 7.

Having a relatively high concentration of hydrogen ions.

(Geology) Containing a large proportion of silica

Having a sour taste.

Biting, sarcastic, or scornful

Sour, sharp, or biting to the taste; tart; having the taste of vinegar.

(figuratively) Sour-tempered.

Of or pertaining to an acid; acidic.

(music) Denoting a musical genre that is a distortion (as if hallucinogenic) of an existing genre, as in acid house, acid jazz, acid rock.

A sour substance.

(chemistry)

Any compound which yields H+ ions (protons) when dissolved in water; an Arrhenius acid.

Any compound that easily donates protons to a base; a Brønsted acid.

Any compound that can accept a pair of electrons to form a covalent bond; a Lewis acid.

Any corrosive substance.

LSD, lysergic acid diethylamide.

Sour, sharp, or biting to the taste; tart; having the taste of vinegar: as, acid fruits or liquors. Also fig.: Sour-tempered.

Of or pertaining to an acid; as, acid reaction.

A sour substance.

One of a class of compounds, generally but not always distinguished by their sour taste, solubility in water, and reddening of vegetable blue or violet colors. They are also characterized by the power of destroying the distinctive properties of alkalies or bases, combining with them to form salts, at the same time losing their own peculiar properties. They all contain hydrogen, united with a more negative element or radical, either alone, or more generally with oxygen, and take their names from this negative element or radical. Those which contain no oxygen are sometimes called hydracids in distinction from the others which are called oxygen acids or oxacids.

Any of various water-soluble compounds having a sour taste and capable of turning litmus red and reacting with a base to form a salt

Street name for lysergic acid diethylamide

Harsh or corrosive in tone;

Containing acid;

Acids donate protons in reactions, which can lead to the formation of salts when reacted with bases.

Examples include hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, and sulfuric acid.

Acidulous is rarely used in strict chemical contexts; it's more common in culinary or sensory descriptions.

While mildly acidulous foods are generally safe, excessive consumption can affect tooth enamel.

A mild concentration of acidic compounds contributes to an acidulous taste.

An acidulous taste is slightly acidic or sour, often considered pleasant and refreshing.

They are essential for digestion, like stomach acid, and in metabolic processes.

They can balance dishes, add complexity to flavors, and stimulate the appetite.

Not all; the toxicity depends on the acid's concentration and nature. For example, citric acid is widely consumed in fruits.

Yes, sourness is a key taste characteristic of acids, though the intensity varies.

pH measures the acidity level, with values below 7 indicating acidic substances, crucial for many scientific applications.

They can dissolve mineral deposits, remove rust, and clean surfaces by reacting with bases.

Yes, depending on its concentration and form, like citric acid in fruits versus concentrated citric acid.

Vinegar is an acid (acetic acid), but its flavor can be described as acidulous in culinary contexts.

Acidulous flavors are perceived as mildly tart and pleasant, while acids might have a stronger, sour taste.