phosphorus
5 synonyms for phosphorus, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A chemical element (symbol P, atomic number 15) that exists in several forms, some of which glow or ignite easily.
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.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin phosphorus, from Greek phosphoros, "bearer of light" — originally a name for the morning star, the planet Venus seen before sunrise.
Full origin of phosphorus →Frequently asked questions
What does “phosphorus” mean?
The word “phosphorus” means a chemical element (symbol P, atomic number 15) that exists in several forms, some of which glow or ignite easily. In plain terms, a chemical element known for glowing or burning easily, essential to living cells and used in fertilizers and matches.
How do you pronounce “phosphorus”?
“Phosphorus” is pronounced FOS-fuh-ruhs (/ˈfɑs.fɚ.əs/ in IPA).
How do you use “phosphorus” in a sentence?
Here is “phosphorus” used in a sentence: “Phosphorus is a key ingredient in matches and fertilizers.”
What part of speech is “phosphorus”?
“Phosphorus” is a noun.
Where does the word “phosphorus” come from?
The word “phosphorus” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Latin phosphorus, from Greek phosphoros, "bearer of light" — originally a name for the morning star, the planet Venus seen before sunrise.
Is “phosphorus” a common word?
“Phosphorus” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Related words
ADP
AMP
ATP
Phosphorist
bone-ash
phosphate
phosphatization
phosphatized
phosphatizing
phosphide
phosphine
phosphite
phosphor
phosphor-roesslerite
phosphoreal
