Acrid describes a sharp, harsh smell or taste that's unpleasant and often stings your nose or throat. When something burns, like rubber or plastic, it creates an acrid smoke that makes your eyes water and your throat feel scratchy. The smell of burnt popcorn in a microwave turns acrid when it chars too long.

It specifically describes that bitter, biting quality that makes you want to turn away or cover your nose. Acrid is different from simply bad: rotten eggs smell terrible, but they're not acrid. Acrid means sharp and irritating, like the fumes from strong chemicals or the bitter taste of medicine that hasn't been flavored.

You might also hear acrid used figuratively to describe bitter feelings or harsh words. Someone might speak in an acrid tone when they're angry, using words that sting like acrid smoke. The bitterness is the connecting thread: whether it's a smell, taste, or even someone's attitude, acrid describes something harsh and hard to tolerate.