noun
Uncommon
silica
SIHL-ih-kuh
Silica (noun) means Silicon dioxide, the chemical compound that makes up sand, quartz, and most glass. Example: “Silica is the main ingredient in ordinary window glass.”
noun
1
Silicon dioxide, the chemical compound that makes up sand, quartz, and most glass.
"Silica is the main ingredient in ordinary window glass."
How to use silica
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe chemical compound behind sand, quartz, and glass — silicon combined with oxygen.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "silica" (the compound, SiO2) with "silicon" (the element, Si) or "silicone" (the synthetic rubber-like polymer).
Easily confused with
Common pairings
silica sand
silica gel
silica dust
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Word forms
- Plural
- silicas
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ is the main ingredient in ordinary window glass.
Etymology
Coined in New Latin from Latin silex, "hard stone, flint."
Synonyms
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E551 when used as an anti-caking agent
Rhymes for silica
See all rhymes for silica →Frequently asked questions
What does “silica” mean?
The word “silica” means silicon dioxide, the chemical compound that makes up sand, quartz, and most glass. In plain terms, the chemical compound behind sand, quartz, and glass — silicon combined with oxygen.
How do you pronounce “silica”?
“Silica” is pronounced SIHL-ih-kuh (/ˈsɪl.ɪ.kə/ in IPA).
How do you use “silica” in a sentence?
Here is “silica” used in a sentence: “Silica is the main ingredient in ordinary window glass.”
What is another word for “silica”?
Words with a similar meaning to “silica” include E551 when used as an anti-caking agent.
What part of speech is “silica”?
“Silica” is a noun.
Where does the word “silica” come from?
The word “silica” comes from New Latin. Coined in New Latin from Latin silex, "hard stone, flint.".
Is “silica” a common word?
“Silica” is an uncommon word in modern English.
