noun
sulfate
SUHL-fayt
Sulfate (noun) means a salt or ester of sulfuric acid. Example: “Magnesium sulfate is commonly known as Epsom salt.”
noun
1
A salt or ester of sulfuric acid.
"Another type, also common in the Taipei area has more chlorides than sulfates, and while it is also hot, its flavor is more salty than sour. The springs at Chinshan on the north coast are typical of this type."
— , Wulai: Hot springs resort with treasury of culture (1982)
"Magnesium sulfate is commonly known as Epsom salt."
verb
1
To treat a substance with sulfuric acid or a sulfate compound.
"The battery plates had begun to sulfate after years of neglect."
How to use sulfate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA chemical compound formed from sulfuric acid, common in fertilizers, detergents, and shampoos.
UK vs US
Also spelled "sulphate" in British English, though "sulfate" is now the standard scientific spelling worldwide.
Common pairings
sodium lauryl sulfate
copper sulfate
sulfate-free shampoo
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Word forms
- Plural
- sulfates
- Third person singular
- sulfates
- Past tense
- sulfated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Magnesium _____ is commonly known as Epsom salt.
Etymology
From French sulfate, coined in 1787 by chemist Louis-Bernard Guyton de Morveau from Latin sulphur.
Class of 1787
sulfate joined the language around 1787.
See the full Class of 1787 →
Synonyms
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sulphate
Rhymes for sulfate
See all rhymes for sulfate →Frequently asked questions
What does “sulfate” mean?
The word “sulfate” means a salt or ester of sulfuric acid. In plain terms, a chemical compound formed from sulfuric acid, common in fertilizers, detergents, and shampoos.
How do you pronounce “sulfate”?
“Sulfate” is pronounced SUHL-fayt (/ˈsʌlfeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “sulfate” in a sentence?
Here is “sulfate” used in a sentence: “Magnesium sulfate is commonly known as Epsom salt.”
What part of speech is “sulfate”?
Depending on how it is used, “sulfate” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “sulfate” come from?
The word “sulfate” dates back to around 1787 and comes from Latin. From French sulfate, coined in 1787 by chemist Louis-Bernard Guyton de Morveau from Latin sulphur.
How many meanings does “sulfate” have?
“Sulfate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a salt or ester of sulfuric acid.
