sulfuric

American

[suhl-fyoor-ik] / sʌlˈfyʊər ɪk /

adjective

Chemistry.

of, relating to, or containing sulfur, especially in the hexavalent state.

sulfuric Scientific

/ sŭl-fyr′ĭk /

Containing sulfur, especially sulfur with a valence of 6.
Compare sulfurous

Etymology

Origin of sulfuric

1780–90; < French sulfurique; see sulfur, -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.

Venezuela’s oil is thick and sulfuric, making it difficult to get out of the ground.

From Barron's • Jan. 7, 2026

The surge gases turned into sulfuric acid, Mr. Tuck writes, “when entering into contact with the water that is in a human body.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

It is not cozy like our planet though, since it is mainly made of carbon dioxide and thick clouds of sulfuric acid - more like hot and burning!

From Space Scoop • Jul. 8, 2025

These previously uncharacterized acid sulfuric anhydride products are almost certainly key contributors to atmospheric new particle formation and a way to efficiently incorporate carboxylic acids into atmospheric nanoparticles.

From Science Daily • May 23, 2024

The night air grew thick and sulfuric around us.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall

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