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
Examples of amphiphilic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
There are, of course, conventional emulsions that are mixtures of unmixable liquids that are stabilized by some amphiphilic (not quite hydrophobic, not quite hydrophilic) substance.
—IEEE Spectrum, 16 Mar. 2022
Emulsifiers like mustard or egg yolk are amphiphilic, as are some chemicals used as part of soap.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 6 May 2023
This is called the fermentation process, whereby lactose in the milk is converted to lactic acid, which lowers the pH. When the pH drops below pH 5, micelles of caseins, which are amphiphilic proteins, loses its tertiary structure due to the protonation of its amino acid residues.
—Ashton Yoon, Discover Magazine, 4 July 2017
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
Our ever-present, super-affordable, totally amphiphilic friend SOAP is here to save us all.
—Heather Arndt Anderson, Sunset Magazine, 12 Mar. 2020
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IEEE Spectrum, 16 Mar. 2022
There are, of course, conventional emulsions that are mixtures of unmixable liquids that are stabilized by some amphiphilic (not quite hydrophobic, not quite hydrophilic) substance.
—IEEE Spectrum, 16 Mar. 2022
Emulsifiers like mustard or egg yolk are amphiphilic, as are some chemicals used as part of soap.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 6 May 2023
This is called the fermentation process, whereby lactose in the milk is converted to lactic acid, which lowers the pH. When the pH drops below pH 5, micelles of caseins, which are amphiphilic proteins, loses its tertiary structure due to the protonation of its amino acid residues.
—Ashton Yoon, Discover Magazine, 4 July 2017
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
Our ever-present, super-affordable, totally amphiphilic friend SOAP is here to save us all.
—Heather Arndt Anderson, Sunset Magazine, 12 Mar. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Amphiphilic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amphiphilic. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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