hydrophilic

adjective

hy·​dro·​phil·​ic ˌhī-drə-ˈfi-lik How to pronounce hydrophilic (audio)
: of, relating to, or having a strong affinity for water
hydrophilic proteins
hydrophilicity noun

Examples of hydrophilic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The combined company would control more than 50% of the market for hydrophilic coatings, which are used on catheters, guidewires and other devices and help doctors maneuver within tight confines like blood vessels in the brain without damaging surrounding tissue. Adriel Bettelheim, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025 Surfactants contain both hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic (water-hating) molecule groups. Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 4 Mar. 2025 It can be made hydrophilic or hydrophobic, porous or watertight, opaque or nearly transparent, delicate or strong, coarse or about as smooth as glass. IEEE Spectrum, 29 Jan. 2013 The transport system relies on a combination of hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) materials. IEEE Spectrum, 24 Apr. 2024 See All Example Sentences for hydrophilic

Word History

Etymology

New Latin hydrophilus, from Greek hydr- + -philos -philous

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hydrophilic was in 1901

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hydrophilic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrophilic. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

Medical Definition

hydrophilic

1 of 2 adjective
hy·​dro·​phil·​ic -ˈfil-ik How to pronounce hydrophilic (audio)
: of, relating to, or having a strong affinity for water
hydrophilic colloids swell in water and are relatively stable
soft contact lenses are made of hydrophilic plastic, which absorbs water
compare lipophilic, lyophilic, oleophilic
hydrophilicity noun
plural hydrophilicities

hydrophilic

2 of 2 noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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