ferric

adjective

fer·​ric ˈfer-ik 

ˈfe-rik

1

: of, relating to, or containing iron

2

: being or containing iron usually with a valence of three

Examples of ferric in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The village was surrounded by ferric dunes, which have iron filings in the sand, their rust color produced by metal oxidized by wind and time. — Aatish Taseer, Travel + Leisure, 13 Oct. 2025

To understand how ferric iron forms on the moon, the researchers examined several possible mechanisms and ruled out some alternatives. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 16 Nov. 2025

Ferrous salts, including ferrous gluconate, glycinate, and sulfate, are absorbed more effectively than ferric salts and are the preferred option. — Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 3 Sep. 2025

To everyone’s surprise, the team discovered that Geobacter could oxidize organic compounds while reducing ferric iron, converting it to ferrous iron in the process. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 11 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ferric

• ferric ammonium citrate
• ferric chloride
• ferric oxide

Rhymes for ferric

• cleric
• derrick
• eric
• steric
• xeric
• allosteric
• amphoteric
• anomeric
• atmospheric
• chromospheric
• climacteric
• congeneric

Kids Definition

ferric

adjective

fer·​ric ˈfer-ik 

: of, relating to, or containing iron

Medical Definition

ferric

adjective

fer·​ric ˈfer-ik 

1

: of, relating to, or containing iron

2

: being or containing iron usually with a valence of three