noun

adenine

AD-uh-neen

Quiz me More like this

Adenine (noun) means one of the four bases in DNA, a purine. It bonds with thymine in DNA, and uracil takes thymine's place in RNA. Example: “In a DNA strand, adenine always pairs with thymine.”

noun

One of the four bases in DNA, a purine. It bonds with thymine in DNA, and uracil takes thymine's place in RNA.

"In a DNA strand, adenine always pairs with thymine."

"The student labeled adenine on the diagram of the double helix."

"Adenine is one of the bases that make up genetic code."

How to use adenine

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA building block of DNA and RNA that pairs with thymine or uracil.

When to use it

It is a technical term used in biochemistry and genetics.

Memory tip

Remember that adenine pairs with thymine in DNA but with uracil in RNA.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

adenine and thymine adenine base adenine nucleotide pairs with adenine

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like adenine.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “adenine” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

In a DNA strand, _____ always pairs with thymine.

Etymology

The word came into English from German Adenin, which comes from Ancient Greek adēn, meaning gland. The German biochemist Albrecht Kossel named it in 1885 after the pancreas, the gland from which he extracted his sample.

Origin: German

Rhymes for adenine

nine mine wine line sine ovine amine thine shine Rhine Maine supine

See all rhymes for adenine →

Frequently asked questions

What is adenine?

Adenine is one of the four bases in DNA, a purine. It bonds with thymine in DNA, and uracil takes thymine's place in RNA.

What does adenine pair with?

In DNA, adenine pairs with thymine. In RNA, it pairs with uracil.

Where does the word adenine come from?

It comes from German Adenin, which traces back to the Ancient Greek word for gland. Albrecht Kossel named it in 1885 after the pancreas.

What is the meaning of adenine?

"adenine" (noun) means one of the four bases in DNA, a purine. It bonds with thymine in DNA, and uracil takes thymine's place in RNA.