ionize
/ˈaɪ.ə.naɪz/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To turn an atom or molecule into an ion by adding or removing electrons. In science, this often changes how the substance behaves.
- The gas can ionize at high temperatures.
- UV light may ionize the air.
- Salt water does not easily ionize the same way.
Adinary Nuance
Ionize is the scientific word for changing something into ions. It is more technical than break apart or change, which are broader and less exact. Scientists use ionize when the electron change matters, not just any chemical change.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- ion hóa
- Spanish
- ionizar
- Chinese
- 电离
- Japanese
- イオン化する
- Korean
- 이온화하다
Etymology
Ionize comes from ion, a word from Greek ion, meaning “going.” It entered English in the late 19th century with modern physics and chemistry.
Common phrases
ionize a gasionize the airionize radiationfully ionized
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is ionize a common everyday word?
- No. It is mainly used in science, especially chemistry and physics.
- What is the difference between ionize and dissociate?
- Ionize means to form ions by changing electrons. Dissociate means to separate into parts.
- Is ionize used in IELTS Academic writing?
- Yes, it can appear in science topics and lab descriptions.
- What is the British spelling of ionize?
- The British spelling is ionise.