amphiphilic

adjective

am·​phi·​phil·​ic ˌam(p)-fə-ˈfi-lik How to pronounce amphiphilic (audio)
: of, relating to, or being a compound (such as a surfactant) consisting of molecules having a polar water-soluble group attached to a water-insoluble hydrocarbon chain
also : being a molecule of such a compound
amphiphile
ˈam(p)-fə-ˌfī(-ə)l How to pronounce amphiphilic (audio)
noun

Examples of amphiphilic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Chemists probably already know that these amphiphilic stabilizers are often a surfactant—a small molecule with a hydrophobic end and a hydrophilic end, such as those in detergents. — IEEE Spectrum, 16 Mar. 2022 There are, of course, conventional emulsions that are mixtures of unmixable liquids that are stabilized by some amphiphilic (not quite hydrophobic, not quite hydrophilic) substance. — IEEE Spectrum, 16 Mar. 2022

Word History

Etymology

amphi- + -philic

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of amphiphilic was in 1948

Rhymes for amphiphilic

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Browse Nearby Words

amphipathic
amphiphilic
amphiphloic
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Cite this Entry

“Amphiphilic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amphiphilic. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

amphiphilic

adjective
am·​phi·​phil·​ic ˌam-fə-ˈfil-ik How to pronounce amphiphilic (audio)
: of, relating to, consisting of, or being one or more molecules (as of a glycolipid or sphingolipid) in a biological membrane having a polar water-soluble terminal group attached to a water-insoluble hydrocarbon chain
amphiphile
ˈam-fə-ˌfīl How to pronounce amphiphilic (audio)
noun
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