oxygen
/ˈɒk.sɪ.dʒən/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A colourless, odourless gas that is in the air and in water. People and animals need it to breathe, and it helps things burn.
- We need oxygen to survive.
- Fish get oxygen from water.
- The fire needs oxygen to keep burning.
Adinary Nuance
Oxygen is the specific gas living things breathe. Air is the whole mixture of gases around us, and breath is the air you take in and out. In science or health writing, oxygen is more exact than both words.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- ôxy
- Spanish
- oxígeno
- Chinese
- 氧气
- Japanese
- 酸素
- Korean
- 산소
Etymology
The word came into English in the late 1700s. It comes from French, based on Greek words meaning “acid-maker,” because early scientists thought it made acids.
Common phrases
oxygen supplyoxygen levelsoxygen maskoxygen tank
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between oxygen and air?
- Oxygen is one gas. Air is the mixture of gases we breathe.
- Is oxygen used in medical English?
- Yes. Doctors talk about oxygen levels, oxygen masks, and oxygen therapy.
- Can oxygen be used for burning?
- Yes. A fire burns better when there is more oxygen.