Daily Word Categories

alkali

/ˈæl.kΙ™.laΙͺ/
B2 Β· Upper Int.β˜…β˜…β˜†β˜†β˜†
noun

Simple Meaning

a substance that can mix with acid to make a salt, like baking soda or soap.

When to Use

πŸ“šAcademic Writingβš™οΈTechnical
Upper Intermediate β€” fluent in familiar topics

Examples in Conversation

β€œYou can use an alkali like baking soda to clean the oven.”

β€œIn chemistry class, we tested which liquids were acid and which were alkali.”

β–ΆFull Definition

One of a class of caustic bases, such as soda, soda ash, caustic soda, potash, ammonia, and lithia, whose distinguishing peculiarities are solubility in alcohol and water, uniting with oils and fats to form soap, neutralizing and forming salts with acids, turning to brown several vegetable yellows, and changing reddened litmus to blue.

Related Words

Synonyms:
basebasic substance
Antonyms:
Word Family:
alkalinealkalinity

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