hydrophilic
3 synonyms and 2 antonyms for hydrophilic, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Attracted to water: readily mixing with, dissolving in or absorbing water.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
water-loving
water-attracting
water-soluble
Antonyms
hydrophobic
water-repellent
How to use hydrophilic
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
hydrophilic molecule
hydrophilic head
hydrophilic coating
hydrophilic surface
Technical. Standard in chemistry, biology, materials science and cosmetics labelling.
Etymology
From Greek hydro-, water, and philos, loving.
Full origin of hydrophilic →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between hydrophilic and hydrophobic?
Hydrophilic substances mix with water because their molecules carry charges or polar groups that water can bond to. Hydrophobic substances, such as oils and fats, are non-polar, so water molecules stick to each other instead and the substance is pushed out. This is why oil and water separate.
Is soap hydrophilic or hydrophobic?
Both, which is exactly why it works. A soap molecule has a hydrophilic head that bonds to water and a hydrophobic tail that grips grease, letting the grease be lifted away and rinsed off.
Are hydrophilic and water-soluble the same?
Not quite. Hydrophilic means attracted to water; water-soluble means it actually dissolves. Cotton and many gels are hydrophilic — they absorb water eagerly — without dissolving in it.
