ammonia
uh-MOH-nih-uh
Ammonia (noun) means a colorless gas made of nitrogen and hydrogen (NH3), known for its sharp, unpleasant smell. Example: “The lab filled with the sharp sting of ammonia.”
noun
1
A colorless gas made of nitrogen and hydrogen (NH3), known for its sharp, unpleasant smell.
"The lab filled with the sharp sting of ammonia."
"Ammonia is a key ingredient in many industrial fertilizers."
2
A water-based solution of this gas, commonly used as a household cleaning agent.
"She wiped down the windows with a cloth soaked in ammonia."
How to use ammonia
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe strong-smelling chemical used in cleaning products and fertilizer.
Common mistake
Never mix ammonia with bleach — it creates toxic gas. Don't confuse with ammonium, which is a related but different, positively charged particle.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- ammonias
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The lab filled with the sharp sting of _____.
Etymology
Named after the Latin sal ammoniacus, "salt of Ammon" — the substance was first collected near a temple to the Egyptian god Ammon.
Synonyms
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spirits of hartshorn
volatile alkali
Rhymes for ammonia
See all rhymes for ammonia →Frequently asked questions
What does “ammonia” mean?
The word “ammonia” means a colorless gas made of nitrogen and hydrogen (NH3), known for its sharp, unpleasant smell. In plain terms, the strong-smelling chemical used in cleaning products and fertilizer.
How do you pronounce “ammonia”?
“Ammonia” is pronounced uh-MOH-nih-uh (/əˈmoʊn.jə/ in IPA).
How do you use “ammonia” in a sentence?
Here is “ammonia” used in a sentence: “The lab filled with the sharp sting of ammonia.”
What is another word for “ammonia”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ammonia” include spirits of hartshorn and volatile alkali.
What part of speech is “ammonia”?
“Ammonia” is a noun.
Where does the word “ammonia” come from?
The word “ammonia” comes from Latin. Named after the Latin sal ammoniacus, "salt of Ammon" — the substance was first collected near a temple to the Egyptian god Ammon.
Is “ammonia” a common word?
“Ammonia” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “ammonia” have?
“Ammonia” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a colorless gas made of nitrogen and hydrogen (NH3), known for its sharp, unpleasant smell.
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