corrosive

Everyday

1. Corrosive describes a substance, like a strong acid, that can slowly damage or eat away metal, skin or other materials. tree →
2. Corrosive can mean harmful and slowly damaging, such as corrosive jealousy. tree →

In the lessons

In science and safety lessons, pupils learn the corrosive hazard symbol on bottles, and that some cleaning products like bleach, oven cleaner and drain cleaner can burn skin and eyes. Rust is a kind of corrosion. Phrases: corrosive substance, corrosive symbol, highly corrosive.

Examples

• This drain cleaner is corrosive, so don't touch it. tree →
• The corrosive symbol shows a liquid eating through a hand. tree →
• Battery acid is corrosive. tree →
• Salt water can be corrosive to metal. tree →
• Wear gloves when using corrosive cleaners. tree →
• Keep corrosive products away from small children. tree →
• Jealousy can be corrosive to a friendship. tree →

Note

Adjective; verb: corrode; noun: corrosion. Spelling: double r. Safety: if a corrosive gets on skin or in eyes, rinse with lots of water and tell a grown-up straight away; call a doctor or poison help line. Never mix cleaning products.