How Do You Spell FLUORIDE?

Pronunciation: [flˈʊ͡əɹa͡ɪd] (IPA)

The word "fluoride" (/'flʊə.raɪd/) is a chemical compound commonly used to prevent tooth decay. Its spelling may cause confusion due to the silent "e" at the end. The "fluor" portion is pronounced with a /flʊər/ sound, followed by an "ide" ending pronounced /aɪd/. Interestingly, the "e" is silent, with no vocalized sound, and merely serves to indicate that the "i" and "d" sounds are spoken separately rather than blended together. Proper spelling of "fluoride" is critical in dentistry, where the compound plays an essential role in promoting oral health.

FLUORIDE Meaning and Definition

  1. Fluoride is a noun that refers to a chemical compound derived from the element fluorine. It is commonly used as an anion, meaning it carries a negative charge, and is often found combined with other elements, particularly inorganic compounds. In its natural state, fluoride is a pale-yellow gas, but it is most commonly encountered as a fluoride ion in various compounds and solutions.

    Fluoride is widely recognized for its importance in dental health. When ingested or applied topically, it helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel and making it more resistant to acid attacks caused by bacteria and sugars. Consequently, fluoride is commonly added to toothpaste, mouth rinses, and community water supplies as a preventative measure against cavities and other dental problems.

    In addition to its dental applications, fluoride also finds use in various industrial processes, such as in the production of metals, chemicals, and glass. It is employed as a flux in metallurgy, aiding in the removal of impurities during smelting and refining. Furthermore, fluoride compounds are utilized as catalysts in organic chemistry and as stabilizers in some plastics.

    While fluoride is generally safe when used appropriately, excessive exposure can lead to fluorosis, a condition that affects tooth enamel and causes discoloration, pitting, and brittleness. Consequently, it is important to carefully regulate the amount of fluoride individuals receive to maintain a balance between its beneficial effects and potential risks.

  2. A compound of fluorine with another element.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Top Common Misspellings for FLUORIDE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for FLUORIDE

Etymology of FLUORIDE

The word "fluoride" is derived from the element "fluorine", which is a pale yellow, highly reactive gas in the halogen group of the periodic table. The term "fluorine" originates from the Latin word "fluere", meaning "to flow", due to the ability of fluorine to facilitate the flow or movement of other substances. Thus, "fluoride" refers to a compound that contains fluorine.

Similar spelling words for FLUORIDE

Plural form of FLUORIDE is FLUORIDES

Infographic

Add the infographic to your website: