amphiphilic

adjective

am·​phi·​phil·​ic ˌam(p)-fə-ˈfi-lik 

: of, relating to, or being a compound (such as a surfactant) consisting of molecules having a polar water-soluble group attached to a water-insoluble hydrocarbon chain

also : being a molecule of such a compound

amphiphile

ˈam(p)-fə-ˌfī(-ə)l 

noun

Examples of amphiphilic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Emulsifiers like mustard or egg yolk are amphiphilic, as are some chemicals used as part of soap. — Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 6 May 2023

Chemists probably already know that these amphiphilic stabilizers are often a surfactant—a small molecule with a hydrophobic end and a hydrophilic end, such as those in detergents. — IEEE Spectrum, 16 Mar. 2022

Our ever-present, super-affordable, totally amphiphilic friend SOAP is here to save us all. — Heather Arndt Anderson, Sunset Magazine, 12 Mar. 2020

This article reviews several examples of systems with such characteristics that have been studied, focusing on chemical systems containing amphiphilic molecules. — Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 18 Nov. 2010

Word History

Etymology

amphi- + -philic

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for amphiphilic

• basophilic
• carboxylic
• hydrophilic
• lipophilic
• mesophilic
• neutrophilic
• thermophilic
• acidophilic
• dicarboxylic
• electrophilic
• nucleophilic
• tricarboxylic

Medical Definition

amphiphilic

adjective

am·​phi·​phil·​ic ˌam-fə-ˈfil-ik 

: of, relating to, consisting of, or being one or more molecules (as of a glycolipid or sphingolipid) in a biological membrane having a polar water-soluble terminal group attached to a water-insoluble hydrocarbon chain

amphiphile

ˈam-fə-ˌfīl 

noun