lithium
2 synonyms for lithium, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A soft, silvery metal that is the lightest of all metals, used in batteries (symbol Li, atomic number 3).
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.
atomic number 3
How to use lithium
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
lithium battery
lithium-ion
lithium carbonate
Etymology
From Greek lithos ("stone"), plus the chemical suffix -ium — named because it was first found in mineral (stone) form, unlike other alkali metals discovered in plant ash.
Full origin of lithium →Frequently asked questions
What does “lithium” mean?
The word “lithium” means a soft, silvery metal that is the lightest of all metals, used in batteries (symbol Li, atomic number 3). In plain terms, a lightweight metal used in batteries, or the same element used as a mood-stabilizing drug.
How do you pronounce “lithium”?
“Lithium” is pronounced LIH-thee-uhm (/ˈlɪθi.əm/ in IPA).
How do you use “lithium” in a sentence?
Here is “lithium” used in a sentence: “Most smartphones run on rechargeable lithium batteries.”
What part of speech is “lithium”?
“Lithium” is a noun.
Where does the word “lithium” come from?
The word “lithium” comes from Greek. From Greek lithos ("stone"), plus the chemical suffix -ium — named because it was first found in mineral (stone) form, unlike other alkali metals discovered in plant ash.
Is “lithium” a common word?
“Lithium” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “lithium” have?
“Lithium” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft, silvery metal that is the lightest of all metals, used in batteries (symbol Li, atomic number 3).
What is lithium used for besides batteries?
Beyond its widespread use in batteries as a soft, silvery, lightweight metal, lithium is also used in a medical form as a medication to stabilize mood in bipolar disorder.
Why is lithium used in batteries?
Lithium is used in batteries because it is the lightest of all metals and has properties that make it efficient at storing and releasing energy, which is why it appears in products from phones to electric vehicles.
Is lithium the medication the same as lithium the metal?
Lithium as a mood-stabilizing medication is a specific form of the same chemical element (symbol Li, atomic number 3) used in batteries, but it is prepared and dosed differently for medical use to treat bipolar disorder.
