astringent
/əˈstrɪn.dʒənt/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
- 1.
Astringent substances make the mouth feel dry and tight. They can also make skin feel less oily.
- The tea tasted sharp and astringent.
- This toner feels astringent on my skin.
- Unripe fruit can have an astringent taste.
- 2.
An astringent comment or style is sharp, severe, and critical. It often sounds more cutting than gentle.
- Her astringent remarks were hard to ignore.
- The review was brief and astringent.
- He used an astringent tone in the meeting.
Adinary Nuance
Astringent is stronger and more specific than sharp or bitter. For taste, it suggests a dry, puckering feeling, not just an unpleasant flavour. For criticism, it sounds cool, severe, and cutting, more restrained than harsh.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- se
- Spanish
- astringente
- Chinese
- 收敛性
- Japanese
- 収れん性の
- Korean
- 수렴성의
Etymology
From Latin astringent-, present participle of adstringere, meaning “to bind fast” or “draw together.” English has used the word since the late Middle Ages.
Common phrases
astringent tasteastringent remarksastringent toneran astringent style
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is astringent used more for taste or for criticism?
- It is used for both. In everyday English, the taste meaning is common in food and drinks.
- Is astringent a formal word?
- Yes, it is fairly formal. It often appears in writing, reviews, and medical or skincare contexts.
- What is the difference between astringent and acidic?
- Acidic means sour or containing acid. Astringent means dry and tightening, especially in the mouth.
- Can I use astringent for a person?
- Not usually for the person directly. It is better for a person's remarks, tone, or style.