hydrophobic
hy-druh-FOH-bik
/ˌhaɪ.drəˈfoʊ.bɪk/
Tending to repel or fail to mix with water.
Often used to describe surfaces that stay dry and clean because water beads up and rolls off.
The story behind the word. Combining the Greek 'hydro' (water) and 'phobos' (fear), it literally means 'water-fearing.' In chemistry, these molecules 'hide' from water by huddling together.
Word relationships
- water-repellent: Water-repellent is a general term; hydrophobic is the precise scientific term for the molecular property.
- hydrophilic: Having a strong affinity for water; 'water-loving'.
Commonly confused with
- waterproof: Waterproof means water cannot penetrate; hydrophobic means the surface actively pushes water away.
Word family
- hydrophobicity (noun): The quality of being hydrophobic.
Collocations
- hydrophobic coating
- hydrophobic surface
- super-hydrophobic
Example sentences
- "The lotus leaf is naturally hydrophobic, causing rainwater to carry away dirt as it rolls off the surface." Explaining the 'Lotus Effect'.
Memory hook
Hydro-Phobic: Water-Phobia. The material is afraid of getting wet. Water-fearing surface.
When not to use
Do not use to describe a person's fear of water (that is 'aquaphobia').
Fun facts
- Self-cleaning paint for skyscrapers was developed by emulating the hydrophobic properties of the lotus leaf.
Related words
Explore more words
hydrodynamic, permeable, emulsifier, hydraulic, hygroscopic, amphibious
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.