astringent

American  

[uh-strin-juhnt] / əˈstrɪn dʒənt /

adjective

1. Medicine/Medical. contracting; constrictive; styptic.

2. harshly biting; caustic.

   his astringent criticism.

   Synonyms:

   rigorous, harsh, sharp

3. stern or severe; austere.

   Synonyms:

   rigorous, harsh, sharp

4. sharply incisive; pungent.

   astringent wit.

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noun

1. Medicine/Medical. a substance that contracts the tissues or canals of the body, thereby diminishing discharges, as of mucus or blood.

2. a cosmetic that cleans the skin and constricts the pores.

astringent British  

/ əˈstrɪndʒənt /

adjective

1. severe; harsh

2. sharp or invigorating

3. causing contraction of body tissues, checking blood flow, or restricting secretions of fluids; styptic

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noun

1. an astringent drug or lotion

astringent Scientific  

/ ə-strĭn′jənt /

1. A substance or preparation, such as alum, that draws together or constricts body tissues, resulting in decreased flow of blood or other secretions.

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Related Words

See acid.

Other Word Forms

• astringency noun
• astringently adverb
• nonastringency noun
• nonastringent adjective
• nonastringently adverb

Etymology

Origin of astringent

1535–45; < Latin astringent- (stem of astringēns ) present participle of astringere to astringe; -ent

Explanation

You know that vinegar-like liquid teens put on their faces in order to tighten their pores and dry up their pimples? That's astringent. An astringent personality, on the other hand, is perceived as bitter and perhaps even a bit toxic. Astringent may be a lifesaver for an acne-prone teen, but when the term is used as an adjective and applied to you personally, it's less positive. Since astringents are acid-based, an astringent personality can also be corrosive. If someone is prone to biting sarcasm and cynicism, he probably has an astringent view of the world.

Example Sentences

Their study, published in Current Research in Food Science, examined whether the distinctive astringent taste of flavanols could itself act as a signal to the brain.

From Science Daily • Feb. 7, 2026

These compounds, which look like rings at the molecular level, interact with proteins in your saliva to produce a dry, astringent sensation that makes your mouth pucker.

From Salon • Nov. 25, 2024

The latter are bitter and astringent compounds that come from grape skins, seeds and stems.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2024

Frank‘s and Charley‘s very different definitions of what constitutes a friend offers an astringent alternative to our culture’s sometimes treacly, overly simplistic portrayal of the bond.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2024

They were astringent, but he felt more awake and less cold, and the better for it.

From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman