adjective
hydrophilic
hy-druh-FIL-ik
Hydrophilic (adjective) means Attracted to water: readily mixing with, dissolving in or absorbing water. Example: “Salt and sugar are hydrophilic and dissolve instantly.”
adjective
1
Attracted to water: readily mixing with, dissolving in or absorbing water.
"Salt and sugar are hydrophilic and dissolve instantly."
"The gel has a hydrophilic coating so it draws moisture into the skin."
How to use hydrophilic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that likes water and mixes with it easily.
When to use it
Technical. Standard in chemistry, biology, materials science and cosmetics labelling.
Memory tip
The -philic ending means loving and the -phobic ending means fearing; the same pair appears in lipophilic and lipophobic for fats.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
hydrophilic molecule
hydrophilic head
hydrophilic coating
hydrophilic surface
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Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Salt and sugar are _____ and dissolve instantly.
Etymology
From Greek hydro-, water, and philos, loving.
Synonyms
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water-loving
water-attracting
water-soluble
Antonyms
hydrophobic
water-repellent
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between hydrophilic and hydrophobic?
Hydrophilic substances mix with water because their molecules carry charges or polar groups that water can bond to. Hydrophobic substances, such as oils and fats, are non-polar, so water molecules stick to each other instead and the substance is pushed out. This is why oil and water separate.
Is soap hydrophilic or hydrophobic?
Both, which is exactly why it works. A soap molecule has a hydrophilic head that bonds to water and a hydrophobic tail that grips grease, letting the grease be lifted away and rinsed off.
Are hydrophilic and water-soluble the same?
Not quite. Hydrophilic means attracted to water; water-soluble means it actually dissolves. Cotton and many gels are hydrophilic — they absorb water eagerly — without dissolving in it.
What is the meaning of hydrophilic?
"hydrophilic" (adjective) means attracted to water: readily mixing with, dissolving in or absorbing water.
