enzyme
2 synonyms and 0 antonyms for enzyme, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A protein produced by living cells that speeds up a specific chemical reaction in the body without being used up itself.
Synonyms
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 enzyme
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Coined in 1878 by German physiologist Wilhelm Kuhne from Greek en- ("in") plus zyme ("leaven, yeast").
Full origin of enzyme →Frequently asked questions
What does “enzyme” mean?
The word “enzyme” means a protein produced by living cells that speeds up a specific chemical reaction in the body without being used up itself. In plain terms, a biological molecule, usually a protein, that speeds up chemical reactions in living things.
How do you pronounce “enzyme”?
“Enzyme” is pronounced EHN-zym (/ˈɛn.zaɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “enzyme” in a sentence?
Here is “enzyme” used in a sentence: “Enzymes in saliva start breaking down starch as soon as you begin chewing.”
What part of speech is “enzyme”?
“Enzyme” is a noun.
Where does the word “enzyme” come from?
The word “enzyme” dates back to around 1878 and comes from German. Coined in 1878 by German physiologist Wilhelm Kuhne from Greek en- ("in") plus zyme ("leaven, yeast").
Is “enzyme” a common word?
“Enzyme” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What does an enzyme do in the body?
An enzyme is a protein produced by living cells that speeds up a specific chemical reaction without being consumed or permanently changed in the process. Each enzyme typically acts on a particular substance or type of reaction, making processes like digestion and metabolism happen far faster than they otherwise would.
What is the difference between an enzyme and a catalyst?
A catalyst is any substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being used up, and an enzyme is a specific biological type of catalyst made of protein. All enzymes are catalysts, but not all catalysts are enzymes; many industrial catalysts are inorganic and unrelated to living cells.
Why are enzymes important for digestion?
Digestive enzymes speed up the breakdown of food into smaller molecules the body can absorb, such as breaking proteins into amino acids or starches into sugars. Without enzymes, these chemical reactions would occur too slowly to sustain normal digestion.