atomic
Atomic (adjective) means relating to atoms. Example: “Atomic number refers to the number of protons in an atom's nucleus.”
How to use atomic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to atoms or nuclear power — or, in tech and science contexts, describing something indivisible and self-contained.
Word forms
atomics plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ number refers to the number of protons in an atom's nucleus.
Etymology
From atom + -ic.
Related words
Rhymes for atomic
See all rhymes for atomic →Frequently asked questions
What does “atomic” mean?
The word “atomic” means relating to atoms. In plain terms, relating to atoms or nuclear power — or, in tech and science contexts, describing something indivisible and self-contained.
How do you pronounce “atomic”?
“Atomic” is pronounced uh-TOM-ihk (/əˈtɑː.mɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “atomic” in a sentence?
Here is “atomic” used in a sentence: “Atomic number refers to the number of protons in an atom's nucleus.”
What part of speech is “atomic”?
“Atomic” is an adjective.
Is “atomic” a common word?
“Atomic” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “atomic” have?
“Atomic” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to atoms.
What is the difference between atomic and nuclear?
Atomic means relating to atoms as a whole, while nuclear strictly refers to the nucleus at the atom's centre. In the context of energy and weapons the two overlap — 'atomic bomb' and 'nuclear bomb' describe the same kind of weapon — though nuclear is now the more common technical term.
What are common collocations with atomic?
Frequent pairings include atomic energy and atomic weapons (relating to nuclear power and arms), atomic number (the count of protons in an element's atoms), and atomic clock (a highly precise clock regulated by the vibrations of atoms). Each collocation draws on the core sense 'relating to atoms.'
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