text: The terms acid and/or base describe the solutions themselves (nouns).  \n\nThe terms acidic/basic/alkaline are discriptive terms regarding the condition or state (adjectives).\n\nNaOH is a base and has a "basic"/"alkaline" pH.\n\nHCl is an acid, and has an "acidic" pH.\n\nThe adjective "basic" means the same thing as "alkaline" and the terms are interchangable.