dopamine
Dopamine (noun) means a chemical made in the brain that acts as a neurotransmitter, playing a key role in feelings of pleasure, motivation, and reward. Example: “Winning the game gave her a rush of dopamine.”
How to use dopamine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe brain chemical behind feelings of reward, pleasure, and motivation.
Not the same word as "dope" (drugs) — dopamine is unrelated in meaning despite the similar spelling.
Word forms
dopamines plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Winning the game gave her a rush of _____.
Etymology
Formed from "DOPA" (short for dihydroxyphenylalanine, a related chemical) plus the chemical suffix "-amine."
Synonyms
View more →Rhymes for dopamine
See all rhymes for dopamine →Frequently asked questions
What does “dopamine” mean?
The word “dopamine” means a chemical made in the brain that acts as a neurotransmitter, playing a key role in feelings of pleasure, motivation, and reward. In plain terms, the brain chemical behind feelings of reward, pleasure, and motivation.
How do you pronounce “dopamine”?
“Dopamine” is pronounced DOH-puh-meen (/ˈdoʊ.pəˌmin/ in IPA).
How do you use “dopamine” in a sentence?
Here is “dopamine” used in a sentence: “Winning the game gave her a rush of dopamine.”
What part of speech is “dopamine”?
“Dopamine” is a noun.
Is “dopamine” a common word?
“Dopamine” is an uncommon word in modern English.