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Glite Dictionary
surface-active

surface-active

7.2
Able to help water mix with oil and dirt
  • adjective
  • /ˈsɜrfɪs-ˈæktɪv/
  • Specialized
translation icon : superficialmente activo
  • Detergents are surface-active agents that help to remove grease and dirt from surfaces.

Examples

  • A surfactant is surface active surfactant, surface active molecule.

  • The surface-active properties of this compound make it ideal for use in cleaning products.

  • A surface-active substance can reduce the water's surface tension, allowing it to spread more easily.

Surface Forms

surface-active positive

Morphology

surface-active = surface + active (transparent) = surface + active

The adjective straightforwardly means 'active at or affecting the surface', which learners can infer from 'surface' + 'active'.

Etymology

Surface-active is made of surface 'top layer' and active 'working', so it literally means 'working at the surface'. A surface-active substance works at the top of a liquid to help water spread and mix with oil, which is why detergents use it.