lipophilic
adjective
li·po·phil·ic
ˌlī-pə-ˈfi-lik 
ˌli-
ˌli-
: having an affinity for lipids (such as fats)
a lipophilic metabolite
Examples of lipophilic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Loaded into micelles, aggregates of molecules that are both water-loving (hydrophilic) and fat-loving (lipophilic), that are delivered intranasally means the treatment quickly arrives in the brain via the nose-to-brain anatomical pathway, bypassing the BBB completely.
—
New Atlas, 23 July 2024
Researchers at the Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas, tested a spray containing tiny lipophilic micelles (oil/fat particles that can carry substances through water) on aging mice, administering the treatment through their noses.
—Shannon McDonagh, Newsweek, 10 July 2024
Yadav said that vitamins could be administered transdermally, but only if they were formulated as nanoparticles and encased in a lipophilic (fat-soluble) substance.
—Rachel Murphy, Verywell Health, 11 June 2024
Hydrophilic molecules love water, while lipophilic molecules love fat.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 6 May 2023
How Whiskey Aromas Evolve: Neat → Diluted Smoky → Pome fruit Vanilla + Oak → Corn + Grains Oak → Cedar Overall, the dilution of hydrophobic (water-hating) or lipophilic (fat-loving) molecules explains a lot of why the aromas changed so noticeably.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 6 May 2023
The ingredient is a beta-hydroxy acid, and one that’s lipophilic.
—Melanie Rud, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2023
Instead, this gentle cleanser uses lipophilic esters and squalane to clean skin in the least irritating way.
—Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 May 2022
Instead, the Squalane Cleanser uses a blend of hydrating lipophilic esters to remove surface dirt and excess oil more gently.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 May 2022
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New Atlas, 23 July 2024
Researchers at the Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas, tested a spray containing tiny lipophilic micelles (oil/fat particles that can carry substances through water) on aging mice, administering the treatment through their noses.
—Shannon McDonagh, Newsweek, 10 July 2024
Yadav said that vitamins could be administered transdermally, but only if they were formulated as nanoparticles and encased in a lipophilic (fat-soluble) substance.
—Rachel Murphy, Verywell Health, 11 June 2024
Hydrophilic molecules love water, while lipophilic molecules love fat.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 6 May 2023
How Whiskey Aromas Evolve: Neat → Diluted Smoky → Pome fruit Vanilla + Oak → Corn + Grains Oak → Cedar Overall, the dilution of hydrophobic (water-hating) or lipophilic (fat-loving) molecules explains a lot of why the aromas changed so noticeably.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 6 May 2023
The ingredient is a beta-hydroxy acid, and one that’s lipophilic.
—Melanie Rud, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2023
Instead, this gentle cleanser uses lipophilic esters and squalane to clean skin in the least irritating way.
—Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 May 2022
Instead, the Squalane Cleanser uses a blend of hydrating lipophilic esters to remove surface dirt and excess oil more gently.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 May 2022
Dictionary Entries Near lipophilic
Cite this Entry
“Lipophilic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lipophilic. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
lipophilic
adjective
li·po·phil·ic
ˌlip-ə-ˈfil-ik
ˌlīp-
ˌlīp-
: having an affinity for lipids (as fats)
a lipophilic metabolite
compare hydrophilic, lyophilic, oleophilic
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