noun

amide

AM-ide

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Amide (noun) means In organic chemistry, a compound formed from a carboxylic acid by swapping its hydroxyl group for an amino group. Example: “The lab synthesised an amide from the acid and an amine.”

noun

technical In organic chemistry, a compound formed from a carboxylic acid by swapping its hydroxyl group for an amino group.

"The lab synthesised an amide from the acid and an amine."

"Proteins are built from amino acids linked by amide bonds."

"Nylon contains repeating amide groups along its chain."

technical In inorganic chemistry, a compound formed from ammonia by replacing a hydrogen atom with a metal.

"Sodium amide is used as a strong base in organic synthesis."

"The reaction produced a metal amide as a by-product."

"Metal amides are handled carefully because they react readily with water."

How to use amide

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA type of chemical compound built around a nitrogen atom joined to a carbon-oxygen group, common in plastics and proteins.

When to use it

This is a specialist chemistry term, rarely used outside scientific or technical writing.

Memory tip

Remember amide comes from ammonia plus -ide, which helps recall its link to nitrogen chemistry.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

amine imide

Common pairings

amide bond amide group primary amide synthesise an amide

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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”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The lab synthesised an _____ from the acid and an amine.

Etymology

The word is built from ammonia with the chemical suffix -ide, which is used to name compounds formed from a parent substance.

Origin: English (from ammonia)

Synonyms

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carboxamide acid amide

Rhymes for amide

ide tide hide ride wide side bide aide elide abide slide bride

See all rhymes for amide →

Frequently asked questions

What is an amide in chemistry?

It is a compound related to a carboxylic acid in which the hydroxyl group has been replaced by an amino group, or, in the inorganic sense, a compound formed from ammonia by replacing a hydrogen with a metal.

Are amides and amines the same thing?

No. An amide contains a carbonyl group attached to nitrogen, while an amine is simply a nitrogen atom attached to carbon groups without that carbonyl.

Where do amides occur naturally?

The bonds linking amino acids together in proteins are amide bonds, so amides are fundamental to biological molecules.

What is the meaning of amide?

"amide" (noun) means in organic chemistry, a compound formed from a carboxylic acid by swapping its hydroxyl group for an amino group.