How Do You Spell HYDROPHOBIC?

Pronunciation: [hˌa͡ɪdɹəfˈə͡ʊbɪk] (IPA)

The word "hydrophobic" is spelled with a combination of Latin and Greek roots. "Hydro" comes from the Greek word for water, while "phobic" comes from the Latin word for fear. The correct pronunciation of this word is /ˌhaɪ.drəˈfoʊ.bɪk/, with the stress on the second syllable. The "h" at the beginning of the word is silent, but the "ph" combination is pronounced as "f." The "o" in "phobic" is pronounced as a short "o" sound, while the "i" is pronounced as a long "i" sound.

HYDROPHOBIC Meaning and Definition

1. Hydrophobic is an adjective that describes the repulsion or inability of a substance to mix or interact with water. It is derived from the Greek words "hydro," meaning water, and "phobos," meaning fear or aversion. Hydrophobic substances are resistant or non-reactive towards water due to their molecular structure or chemical properties.

   In chemistry, hydrophobicity refers to the lack of affinity or attraction between a substance and water molecules. At the molecular level, hydrophobic compounds possess non-polar bonds or regions that do not have a charge. This characteristic allows them to avoid water molecules, which are polar and form hydrogen bonds. Hydrophobicity can cause substances to repel or be expelled by water, causing them to separate and form distinct phases.

   In biology, hydrophobicity plays a critical role in various phenomena. For instance, in cell membranes, the hydrophobic core formed by lipid bilayers acts as a barrier to prevent the passage of water-soluble molecules. Proteins also have hydrophobic regions that allow them to fold into specific shapes and perform their functions within cells.

   Furthermore, hydrophobicity has practical implications in everyday life. It can be seen in the behavior of oil droplets in water, where the oil is resistant to mixing and forms distinct beads. Hydrophobic surfaces are used in applications such as non-stick cookware, rain-repellent coatings, and waterproof fabrics. These materials repel water, preventing it from adhering or penetrating the surface.

   In summary, hydrophobic describes substances or surfaces that are not compatible or interact with water due to their chemical nature or molecular structure.

2. Pert. to dread of water or to canine madness.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for HYDROPHOBIC *

• hydrophic 100%

* 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 HYDROPHOBIC

• hydrophylic
• hydrophobie
• hydophobic
• hidrophobic
• hydrophobiac
• Hydrophobica
• Hyrophonephrosis
• Cytophobic
• Pyrrophobic
• Hydropheric

Etymology of HYDROPHOBIC

The word "hydrophobic" has its roots in two Greek words: "hydro" meaning "water" and "phobos" meaning "fear" or "aversion". The term was first coined in the late 19th century to describe substances that repel or are unreactive towards water. It is commonly used in biology and chemistry to refer to the behavior of molecules that do not mix well with water. In the context of biology, "hydrophobic" can also describe the fear or avoidance of water by organisms or the inability of a substance to dissolve in water.

Similar spelling words for HYDROPHOBIC

• hydroponics,
• hydrophyte,
• hydrofoil,
• hydrophytic,
• hydrophobicity,
• hydroponic,
• hydropathic,
• heterophobic,
• hydrophyllum,
• hydrophobia,
• hydrophidae,
• hydrophilic.