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carbonic

American

[kahr-bon-ik] / kɑrˈbɒn ɪk /

adjective

containing tetravalent carbon, as carbonic acid, H 2 CO 3 .

carbonic British

/ kɑːˈbɒnɪk /

adjective

(of a compound) containing carbon, esp tetravalent carbon

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of carbonic

First recorded in 1785–95; carbon + -ic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That weak carbonic acid ultimately soaks into the soil, full of carbon dioxide.

From Slate • Oct. 17, 2025

This happens because carbon dioxide from the air dissolves in rainwater to form carbonic acid - this then percolates through the rock and reacts with it, causing it to dissolve.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2025

The carbon dioxide, buffered into carbonic acid, increases acidity in ocean water, which is bad news for corals, clams and other shell-forming creatures.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2024

When CO2 dissolves in water, it can react to form carbonic acid, which, through further reactions, can then become bicarbonate and carbonate.

From Science Daily • Feb. 27, 2024

Other organisms form carbon dioxide, which, as carbonic acid, aids in dissolving rock.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023