Definition

1. Adjective: Capable of being dissolved in water. A substance described as water-soluble will mix uniformly with water to form a solution.

Usage

The adjective "water-soluble" is used to describe the physical property of a material. It is typically placed before a noun or used after a linking verb like "is," "are," "was," or "becomes." - It is a technical term common in chemistry, biology, medicine, nutrition, and everyday product descriptions. - The hyphen is essential when the term is used as a single adjective before a noun.

Examples

• Before a noun:
  • Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, so excess amounts are excreted in urine.
  • The package contains water-soluble fertilizer pellets.
• After a linking verb:
  • This new dye is completely water-soluble.
  • The powder became water-soluble when heated.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific Context: In chemistry, solubility is often quantified. A compound may be described as "highly water-soluble" or "sparingly water-soluble" to indicate the degree to which it dissolves.
  • Table salt (sodium chloride) is highly water-soluble.
• Opposite Property: The direct antonym is "water-insoluble" or "lipid-soluble" (fat-soluble).
  • Unlike water-soluble vitamins, vitamin A is fat-soluble and stored in the body's tissues.

Variants and Related Words

• Solubility (n): The quality of being soluble, especially in water. The degree to which a substance dissolves.
  • The solubility of sugar in water increases with temperature.
• Soluble (adj): Able to be dissolved. "Water-soluble" is a more specific form of this general term.
  • Is this substance soluble in alcohol?

Synonyms

• Miscible with water (used specifically for liquids that mix in all proportions).
• Dissolvable in water.

Antonyms

• Water-insoluble
• Fat-soluble
• Lipid-soluble
• Immiscible (for liquids that do not mix, like oil and water).

Adjective

1. soluble in water