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

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

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

Researchers at the Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas, tested a spray containing tiny lipophilic micelles (oil/fat particles that can carry substances through water) on aging mice, administering the treatment through their noses. —Shannon McDonagh, Newsweek, 10 July 2024

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

How Whiskey Aromas Evolve: Neat → Diluted Smoky → Pome fruit Vanilla + Oak → Corn + Grains Oak → Cedar Overall, the dilution of hydrophobic (water-hating) or lipophilic (fat-loving) molecules explains a lot of why the aromas changed so noticeably. —Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 6 May 2023

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

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