polarity

7 synonyms for polarity, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — The property of having two opposite poles or charges, such as positive and negative in electricity or north and south in magnetism.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

charge sign opposition division

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

orientation dichotomy antagonism

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

The property of having two opposite poles or charges, such as positive and negative in electricity or north and south in magnetism.

“Check the polarity before connecting the battery terminals.”

charge orientation sign

2. noun

A sharp division between two directly opposed groups, opinions or tendencies.

“The debate exposed the polarity between the two wings of the party.”

opposition division dichotomy antagonism

How to use polarity

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

reverse the polarity opposite polarity molecular polarity political polarity

Technical in senses 1 and 3, figurative and slightly formal in sense 2.

Etymology

From Greek polos, "axis, pivot", via Latin polus and the adjective polar.

Full origin of polarity →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between polarity and polarisation?

Polarity is the condition of having two opposite poles or extremes. Polarisation is the process by which something develops that condition or is pushed further towards the extremes. Public opinion has polarity; it becomes that way through polarisation.

What does reversing the polarity do?

It swaps the positive and negative connections. In a DC motor this makes it turn the other way; in many electronic devices it does nothing useful and can cause damage, which is why connectors are usually designed to fit only one way round.

Why is water a polar molecule?

Oxygen pulls the shared electrons more strongly than hydrogen does, so the oxygen end carries a slight negative charge and the hydrogen ends a slight positive one. That uneven charge is its polarity, and it explains why water dissolves salts and sugars so readily.

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sign charge division opposition dichotomy orientation antagonism

Nearby words

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