Definition of "acerbic" []

• Sour or bitter tasting; acid. See Synonyms at bitter. (adjective)
• Sharp or biting, as in character or expression: "At times, the playwright allows an acerbic tone to pierce through otherwise arid or flowery prose” ( Alvin Klein). (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Jane Lynch, known as acerbic cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester on "Glee," will host the event."
• "Frances, 69, best known as the acerbic host of The Weakest Link, is the only silent presence in the room."
• "LOS ANGELES - Beatrice Arthur, best known as the acerbic Maude Findlay on Norman Lear's sitcom "Maude" and as the strong-willed Dorothy Zbornak on the long-running "The Golden Girls," died Saturday."