noun
chlorophyll
KLAW-ruh-fihl
Chlorophyll (noun) means the green pigment in plants that captures sunlight and powers photosynthesis. Example: “Leaves turn green because of the chlorophyll inside their cells.”
noun
1
The green pigment in plants that captures sunlight and powers photosynthesis.
"Leaves turn green because of the chlorophyll inside their cells."
"In autumn, chlorophyll breaks down and reveals the yellow and orange pigments underneath."
How to use chlorophyll
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe pigment that makes plants green and lets them turn sunlight into energy.
Common pairings
chlorophyll molecule
rich in chlorophyll
chlorophyll production
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Word forms
- Plural
- chlorophylls
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Leaves turn green because of the _____ inside their cells.
Etymology
From French chlorophylle, built from Greek khlōros ("pale green") and phyllon ("leaf").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “chlorophyll” mean?
The word “chlorophyll” means the green pigment in plants that captures sunlight and powers photosynthesis. In plain terms, the pigment that makes plants green and lets them turn sunlight into energy.
How do you pronounce “chlorophyll”?
“Chlorophyll” is pronounced KLAW-ruh-fihl (/ˈklɔɹ.ə.fɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “chlorophyll” in a sentence?
Here is “chlorophyll” used in a sentence: “Leaves turn green because of the chlorophyll inside their cells.”
What part of speech is “chlorophyll”?
“Chlorophyll” is a noun.
Where does the word “chlorophyll” come from?
The word “chlorophyll” comes from French. From French chlorophylle, built from Greek khlōros ("pale green") and phyllon ("leaf").
