Definition

1. Verb:
   • To treat fabric with a chemical acid solution to create a faded or bleached appearance: The process involves washing denim or other textiles with chlorine or pumice stones soaked in an acidic solution to produce a worn, distressed look, often with localized lightening.

Usage

• Verb:
  • The factory will acid-wash these jeans to give them a vintage style.
  • She prefers to acid-wash her denim jackets for a unique, personalized effect.

Advanced Usage

• As a participial adjective (acid-washed): Describing a garment that has undergone this treatment.
  • He wore acid-washed jeans, a popular fashion trend in the 1980s.

Variants and Related Words

• Acid-washed (adj): Having been treated with an acid wash.
  • The acid-washed denim shorts had a distinctive pale, streaky pattern.

Synonyms

• Stonewash: To wash with pumice stones to achieve a similar faded effect, though the chemical process may differ.
• Distress: To treat fabric to make it appear worn or aged.

Related Phrases

• To give something an acid wash: To apply the acid-wash process to an item.
  • The designer decided to give the new collection an acid wash for a retro feel.

Verb

1. wash with acid so as to achieve a bleached look
   • acid-wash blue jeans