surface-active

adjective

sur·​face-active ˈsər-fəs-ˌak-tiv 

: altering the properties and especially lowering the tension at the surface of contact between phases

soaps and wetting agents are typical surface-active substances

Examples of surface-active in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The first is utilizing the surface-active electrodes and cheap catalysts. — Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for surface-active

• photorefractive
• radioactive
• active
• tractive
• attractive
• contractive
• extractive
• inactive
• proactive
• reactive
• refractive
• subtractive

Medical Definition

surface-active

adjective

: altering the properties and especially lowering the tension at the surface of contact between phases

soaps and wetting agents are typical surface-active substances