hydrofluoric acid

noun

hy·​dro·​flu·​or·​ic acid ˌhī-drō-ˈflȯr-ik  -ˈflu̇r- 

: an aqueous solution of hydrogen fluoride HF that is a weak poisonous acid, that attacks silica and silicates, and that is used especially in finishing and etching glass

Examples of hydrofluoric acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The polymer can be burned off, but this releases carbon monoxide, hydrofluoric acid, and other harmful pollutants. —IEEE Spectrum, 17 June 2024

Removing them typically involves toxic reagents such as hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, or sodium hydroxide. —IEEE Spectrum, 17 June 2024

Battery production and processing of battery materials in China is often energy-intensive and in the case of critical minerals such as graphite, uses environmentally harmful chemicals including hydrofluoric acid. —Henry Sanderson, Foreign Affairs, 2 Jan. 2024

The Torrance Refinery Action Alliance organized the rally and argued that safer alternatives exist, and that many of the refineries in California no longer use hydrofluoric acid. PBF Energy, which purchased the refinery in 2016, issued a statement Saturday rebutting the activists’ accusations. —Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hydrofluoric acid

noun

hy·​dro·​flu·​or·​ic acid ˌhī-drō-flu̇-ˌȯr-ik-  -flu̇-ˌär-ik- 

: a weak poisonous acid that is formed by dissolving hydrogen fluoride in water

Medical Definition

hydrofluoric acid

noun

hy·​dro·​flu·​or·​ic acid -ˌflu̇r-ik-  -ˌflōr- 

-ˌflȯr-

: an aqueous solution of hydrogen fluoride HF that is a weak poisonous acid, that resembles hydrochloric acid chemically but attacks silica and silicates, and that is used especially in finishing and etching glass