molecule
5 synonyms for molecule, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The smallest unit of a substance that keeps all its chemical properties, made of two or more atoms bonded together.
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 molecule
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
water molecule
DNA molecule
protein molecule
Etymology
Borrowed from French molécule, from New Latin molecula, a diminutive of Latin moles, "a mass."
Full origin of molecule →Frequently asked questions
What does “molecule” mean?
The word “molecule” means the smallest unit of a substance that keeps all its chemical properties, made of two or more atoms bonded together. In plain terms, the smallest building block of a chemical substance, formed from atoms bonded together.
How do you pronounce “molecule”?
“Molecule” is pronounced MOL-ih-kyool (/ˈmɑ.lɪ.kjul/ in IPA).
How do you use “molecule” in a sentence?
Here is “molecule” used in a sentence: “A water molecule contains two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.”
What part of speech is “molecule”?
“Molecule” is a noun.
Where does the word “molecule” come from?
The word “molecule” comes from New Latin. Borrowed from French molécule, from New Latin molecula, a diminutive of Latin moles, "a mass.".
Is “molecule” a common word?
“Molecule” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between a molecule and an atom?
An atom is the smallest unit of a chemical element, while a molecule is formed when two or more atoms bond together and represents the smallest unit of a substance that keeps its chemical properties. A molecule can be made of atoms of the same element or of different elements.
What is the difference between a molecule and a compound?
A molecule is any group of two or more bonded atoms, while a compound specifically refers to a molecule made of two or more different elements. Water is both a molecule and a compound, but oxygen gas (O2) is a molecule that is not a compound.
Why must a molecule have at least two atoms?
A molecule is defined by the bonding of atoms together, so a single, unbonded atom does not qualify as a molecule on its own. The bond between atoms is what gives a molecule its distinct chemical properties.
