hydrophilic

adjective

hy·​dro·​phil·​ic ˌhī-drə-ˈfi-lik 

: of, relating to, or having a strong affinity for water

hydrophilic proteins

hydrophilicity

ˌhī-drə-fi-ˈli-sə-tē 

noun

Examples of hydrophilic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That denaturation continues during a third fermentation, when the proteins break down into fragments with hydrophobic and hydrophilic ends, reducing surface tensions. —Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2025

Surfactants are molecules with hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) ends, which interact with water and soil particles, aiding water infiltration and distribution in soil. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2025

One method of making the fabric adheres to a schematic flow that begins with knitting a hydrophobic yarn—to form a first layer—before knitting a hydrophilic yarn and a reinforcement yarn together, to form a second layer. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 12 Aug. 2025

The microneedle surface is coated with a thin layer of gold, mixed with a bio-hydrogel composed of biocompatible and hydrophilic chitosan and horseradish peroxidase enzymes. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin hydrophilus, from Greek hydr- + -philos -philous

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hydrophilic

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

Medical Definition

hydrophilic

1 of 2 adjective

hy·​dro·​phil·​ic -ˈfil-ik 

: of, relating to, or having a strong affinity for water

hydrophilic colloids swell in water and are relatively stable

soft contact lenses are made of hydrophilic plastic, which absorbs water

compare lipophilic, lyophilic, oleophilic

hydrophilicity

-fi-ˈlis-ət-ē 

noun

plural hydrophilicities

hydrophilic

2 of 2 noun

: hydrophile