Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To cause a substance to combine with oxygen, often resulting in a chemical change such as rusting or tarnishing.
   • To add oxygen to a chemical compound.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To undergo a chemical reaction with oxygen; to become converted into an oxide, often visible as corrosion or rust.

Usage and Examples

• Transitive Verb (to cause oxidation):

  • Exposing iron to water and air will oxidise it, forming rust.
  • In the lab, we used a catalyst to oxidise the alcohol into an acid.

• Intransitive Verb (to undergo oxidation):

  • If you leave that metal outside, it will oxidise quickly.
  • The apple slice began to oxidise and turn brown after a few minutes.

Advanced Usage

• In Chemistry: The term is used broadly for reactions involving the loss of electrons, even when oxygen is not directly involved (though this is more precisely called "electron loss" or "redox").

  • In this reaction, the metal oxidises as it loses electrons to the surrounding solution.

• In Biology/Biochemistry: Refers to metabolic processes.

  • Cells oxidise glucose to produce energy during respiration.

Variants and Related Words

• Oxidize: The preferred spelling in American English. 'Oxidise' is the standard spelling in British English.
• Oxidation (n): The process or result of oxidising.
  • The oxidation of copper creates a green patina.
• Oxidiser/Oxidizer (n): A substance that causes oxidation, especially one that supplies oxygen for combustion.
  • Potassium nitrate is a common oxidiser in fireworks.
• Oxidised/Oxidized (adj): Describing something that has undergone oxidation.
  • The oxidised surface of the statue had a beautiful green hue.

Synonyms

• Corrode: To wear away, especially by chemical action (a specific result of oxidation for metals).
• Rust: To undergo the specific oxidation of iron or steel.
• Tarnish: To lose lustre due to a surface layer of oxide or sulphide, especially on silver.

Antonyms

• Reduce: In chemistry, to cause a substance to gain electrons or lose oxygen (the opposite chemical process).
• Deoxidise: To remove oxygen from a compound.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases

(Note: 'Oxidise' is a technical verb and does not commonly form phrasal verbs. The process is typically described with prepositions.) - Oxidise away: To gradually disappear or degrade through oxidation. - The ancient inscription had oxidised away over the centuries.

Verb

1. enter into a combination with oxygen or become converted into an oxide
   • This metal oxidizes easily
2. add oxygen to or combine with oxygen