endothermic
/ˌen.dəˈθɜː.mɪk/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Describing a process or reaction that takes in heat from its surroundings. It cools the surroundings while it happens.
- Melting ice is an endothermic process.
- The reaction felt cold to the touch.
- Photosynthesis is often described as endothermic.
Adinary Nuance
Endothermic is more specific than simply 'heat-absorbing'. It is used in science, especially chemistry and biology, for processes that take in heat. It is the opposite of exothermic, which gives out heat. In everyday writing, people often say 'cooling' or 'heat-absorbing' instead.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- thu nhiệt
- Spanish
- endotérmico
- Chinese
- 吸热的
- Japanese
- 吸熱の
- Korean
- 흡열의
Etymology
From Greek endon meaning 'within' and thermē meaning 'heat'. The word entered scientific English in the 19th century.
Common phrases
endothermic reactionendothermic processendothermic change
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is endothermic the opposite of exothermic?
- Yes. Endothermic processes take in heat, while exothermic processes release heat.
- Is endothermic a common everyday word?
- No. It is mainly used in science classes, exams, and academic writing.
- Can I use endothermic for any cold thing?
- No. It is for processes that absorb heat, not just anything that feels cold.
- How do I use endothermic in a sentence?
- You can say, 'The reaction is endothermic,' or 'Melting is an endothermic process.'