viscosity
vis-KOS-i-tee
/vɪˈskɒsɪti/
The state of being thick, sticky, and semi-fluid in consistency, due to internal friction.
In beverages, it refers to 'body' or 'mouthfeel'—how heavy or syrupy a liquid feels.
The story behind the word. In ancient times, a sticky substance called 'birdlime' was made from mistletoe berries (viscum) to catch birds. The word for that stickiness became our word for fluid thickness.
Word relationships
- thickness: A more general, less technical term.
- fluidity: The ease with which a liquid flows.
Commonly confused with
- velocity: Velocity is speed; viscosity is thickness.
Word family
- viscous (adjective): Thick and sticky.
Collocations
- high viscosity
- low viscosity
- measure viscosity
Example sentences
- "The high sugar content of the Sauternes gives it a notable viscosity that coats the glass." Describing a dessert wine.
- "Engine oil must maintain its viscosity even at extremely high temperatures to protect the motor." Physics of motor oil.
Memory hook
Viscous is like 'thick sauce'. Resistance to flow.
When not to use
Do not use for solids; it only describes the flow of fluids.
Fun facts
- Honey is a high-viscosity liquid, while water is a low-viscosity liquid.
Related words
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