noun

quicklime

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Quicklime (noun) means Quicklime is calcium oxide, a substance made by heating limestone and turned into slaked lime when water is added to it. Example: “The builders mixed quicklime with water to make mortar for the old wall.”

noun

Quicklime is calcium oxide, a substance made by heating limestone and turned into slaked lime when water is added to it.

"The builders mixed quicklime with water to make mortar for the old wall."

"Farmers once spread quicklime on fields to reduce the soil's acidity."

"Heating limestone in a kiln drives off carbon dioxide and leaves quicklime behind."

How to use quicklime

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishQuicklime is the reactive lime you get straight from burning limestone, before water is added.

When to use it

It is a technical and industrial term, most often met in chemistry, building trades and farming.

Memory tip

Remember that quicklime is the dry, reactive form; adding water turns it into slaked lime.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

slaked lime

Common pairings

heat limestone into quicklime slake quicklime with water spread quicklime on the soil

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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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The builders mixed _____ with water to make mortar for the old wall.

Etymology

Quicklime comes from Middle English quyk lym, formed from quick and lime. Here quick keeps its old sense of active or lively, pointing to how fiercely the substance reacts with water.

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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burnt lime caustic lime

Rhymes for quicklime

time dime mime lime crime anime grime prime chime slime regime runtime

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Frequently asked questions

What is quicklime used for?

It is used to make mortar and cement, to treat soil, and to produce slaked lime by adding water.

Is quicklime dangerous to handle?

It reacts strongly with water and can burn skin, so it needs careful handling and protective equipment.

What is the difference between quicklime and slaked lime?

Quicklime is calcium oxide; adding water to it produces slaked lime, a different, less reactive compound.

What is the meaning of quicklime?

"quicklime" (noun) means quicklime is calcium oxide, a substance made by heating limestone and turned into slaked lime when water is added to it.