How to pronounce caustic
Say it like KAH-stik. Caustic has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce caustic. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAH
- stik
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Caustic pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- stikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of caustic
American and British speakers say caustic in essentially the same way: /ˈkɑstɪk/ in the US and /ˈkɔːstɪk/ in the UK.
British respelling: KAW-stik.
Other ways to say caustic
Caustic also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- KAW-stik /ˈkɔstɪk/
What does caustic mean?
- 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.
- The envelope of reflected or refracted rays for a given curve.
- Capable of burning, corroding or destroying organic tissue.
- Sharp, bitter, cutting, biting, and sarcastic in a scathing way.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with caustic
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of caustic.
Questions about saying caustic
How do you pronounce caustic?
Say KAH-stik. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑstɪk/. In British English it is /ˈkɔːstɪk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in caustic?
Caustic has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAH). Broken into parts: KAH · stik.
Do Americans and Brits say caustic the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkɑstɪk/ and the British form is /ˈkɔːstɪk/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.