Is emulsify a cooking word or a science word?

It is used in both cooking and science. In cooking, it often describes sauces and dressings.

Can I say emulsify instead of mix?

Not always. Emulsify is more specific and is used for liquids that normally separate.

Yes, it sounds more formal and technical than everyday words like mix or stir.

How do I use emulsify in a sentence?

Say what you are mixing: 'Emulsify the oil into the sauce.'

← Dictionary

emulsify

/ɪˈmʌl.sɪ.faɪ/

IELTSAcademic

verb

To mix two liquids that do not usually blend, especially oil and water, so they form a smooth, even mixture. It can also mean to make a substance able to mix this way.

Whisk the sauce to emulsify the oil and vinegar.
Soap can emulsify grease in water.
The chef emulsified the dressing slowly.

Adinary Nuance

Emulsify is more specific than mix or blend. It is used when two liquids do not normally stay together, like oil and water. In cooking and science, it sounds more exact and technical than stir or combine.

In other languages

Vietnamese: nhũ hóa
Spanish: emulsionar
Chinese: 乳化
Japanese: 乳化する
Korean: 유화하다

Etymology

Emulsify comes from Latin emulgere, meaning 'to milk out'. English took it through French in the 19th century, when science began to use the word for stable mixtures.

Common phrases

emulsify oil and wateremulsify a sauceemulsify the dressing

Synonyms

mix blend combine

Related words

emulsion stable suspension homogenize

Frequently asked questions

Is emulsify a cooking word or a science word?: It is used in both cooking and science. In cooking, it often describes sauces and dressings.
Can I say emulsify instead of mix?: Not always. Emulsify is more specific and is used for liquids that normally separate.
Is emulsify formal?: Yes, it sounds more formal and technical than everyday words like mix or stir.
How do I use emulsify in a sentence?: Say what you are mixing: 'Emulsify the oil into the sauce.'