lipophilic

adjective

li·​po·​phil·​ic ˌlī-pə-ˈfi-lik  ˌli- 

: having an affinity for lipids (such as fats)

a lipophilic metabolite

Examples of lipophilic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The ingredient is a beta-hydroxy acid, and one that’s lipophilic. — Melanie Rud, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2023

But the peptides in the new vaccine, called lipophilic peptides, have something past treatments did not — a tail. — Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 11 Aug. 2025

Hydrophilic molecules love water, while lipophilic molecules love fat. — Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 6 May 2023

Many drugs are poorly water-soluble and lipophilic (fat-loving), and both pose challenges to bioavailability. — Paul McClure 13, New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2025

Yadav said that vitamins could be administered transdermally, but only if they were formulated as nanoparticles and encased in a lipophilic (fat-soluble) substance. — Rachel Murphy, Verywell Health, 11 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lipophilic

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

Medical Definition

lipophilic

adjective

li·​po·​phil·​ic ˌlip-ə-ˈfil-ik  ˌlīp- 

: having an affinity for lipids (as fats)

a lipophilic metabolite

compare hydrophilic, lyophilic, oleophilic

lipophilicity

-fi-ˈlis-ət-ē 

noun

plural lipophilicities