exothermic
/ˌek.səˈθɜː.mɪk/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
An exothermic reaction gives out heat to the surroundings. It becomes warmer because energy leaves the process as heat.
- Burning wood is an exothermic reaction.
- The flask felt hot after the exothermic reaction.
- Some exothermic changes happen very quickly.
Adinary Nuance
Exothermic is more specific than "hot" or "warm." It describes a scientific process that releases heat, not just something with a high temperature. It is the opposite of endothermic, which takes in heat. In chemistry writing, choose exothermic when you want to describe the reaction itself, not the object.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- tỏa nhiệt
- Spanish
- exotérmico
- Chinese
- 放热的
- Japanese
- 発熱性の
- Korean
- 발열성의
Etymology
From Greek exo- meaning “outside” and thermē meaning “heat.” The word entered scientific English in the late 19th century.
Common phrases
exothermic reactionexothermic processexothermic change
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is exothermic the opposite of endothermic?
- Yes. Exothermic reactions release heat, while endothermic reactions absorb heat.
- Is exothermic used only in chemistry?
- It is most common in chemistry, but it can also describe other heat-releasing processes.
- Can I say an exothermic reaction is hot?
- Yes, but exothermic is more precise. It explains why the reaction gets hot.