atomic
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for atomic, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Relating to atoms.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use atomic
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From atom + -ic.
Full origin of 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.'