calcareous
/kælˈkeə.ri.əs/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Containing or made of calcium carbonate. Calcareous rocks, soil, or shells often feel chalky or hard.
- The cliff is made of calcareous rock.
- This soil is too calcareous for some plants.
Adinary Nuance
Calcareous is more specific than chalky, stony, or mineral-rich. Writers use it for geology, soil, shells, and other things that contain calcium carbonate. It sounds technical and scientific, so it is less common in everyday speech than limestone or chalky.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- giàu canxi cacbonat
- Spanish
- calcáreo
- Chinese
- 钙质的
- Japanese
- 石灰質の
- Korean
- 석회질의
Etymology
Calcareous comes from Latin calcareus, from calx meaning "lime". It entered English in the 17th century, first in science and geology.
Common phrases
calcareous rockcalcareous soilcalcareous depositscalcareous shells
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is calcareous a common everyday word?
- No. It is mainly used in science, geology, and soil descriptions.
- What is the difference between calcareous and chalky?
- Calcareous is technical and exact. Chalky is more general and can describe texture or appearance.
- Can I use calcareous in academic writing?
- Yes. It is a good word for geology, chemistry, and environmental writing.
- Does calcareous mean full of calcium?
- It usually means containing calcium carbonate, not just any calcium.