hydrophilic

adjective

hy·​dro·​phil·​ic ˌhī-drə-ˈfi-lik 

: of, relating to, or having a strong affinity for water

hydrophilic proteins

hydrophilicity

ˌhī-drə-fi-ˈli-sə-tē 

noun

Examples of hydrophilic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Surfactants are molecules with hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) ends, which interact with water and soil particles, aiding water infiltration and distribution in soil. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2025

The second layer includes a hydrophilic yarn and a reinforcement yarn. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 12 Aug. 2025

In these surfactants, the hydrophilic end may simultaneously carry both anionic and cationic hydrophilic groups depending on ambient conditions such as pH (a scale of acid to base). —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 4 Mar. 2025

The microneedle surface is coated with a thin layer of gold, mixed with a bio-hydrogel composed of biocompatible and hydrophilic chitosan and horseradish peroxidase enzymes. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hydrophilic

• amphiphilic
• basophilic
• carboxylic
• lipophilic
• mesophilic
• neutrophilic
• thermophilic
• acidophilic
• dicarboxylic
• electrophilic
• nucleophilic
• tricarboxylic

Medical Definition

hydrophilic

1 of 2 adjective

hy·​dro·​phil·​ic -ˈfil-ik 

: 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

-fi-ˈlis-ət-ē 

noun

plural hydrophilicities

hydrophilic

2 of 2 noun

: hydrophile