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Glite Dictionary
anionic detergent

anionic detergent

5.6
A man-made cleaning agent with tiny parts that have a negative charge in water
  • noun
  • /ˌæn.aɪˈɒn.ɪk dɪˈtɜːr.dʒənt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : detergente aniónico
  • This soap contains an anionic detergent that helps break down grease and oil.

Examples

  • Many modern laundry powders use anionic detergents for their effective cleaning performance.

  • The effectiveness of an anionic detergent can be reduced by hard water.

  • An anionic detergent is effective in removing grease.

  • Many anionic detergents are found in household cleaners.

  • Many modern laundry powders use anionic detergents for their effective cleaning performance.

  • The effectiveness of an anionic detergent can be reduced by hard water.

  • This soap contains an anionic detergent that helps break down grease and oil.

Synonyms

detergent
vsanionic detergent
70 2.7

A liquid or powder that cleans clothes and surfaces

refers specifically to synthetic cleaners whose molecules carry a negative charge in water
anionic compound
vsanionic detergent
  • Specialized
6.1

A chemical that has a negatively charged ion as its main part

is about cleaning agents combining negative charge and surface cleaning action

How Gentle

isethionate
  • Specialized
9.1
detergent
70 2.7
anionic detergent
  • Specialized
5.6

Surface Forms

anionic detergent singular
anionic detergents plural

Morphology

anionic + detergent

This is a straightforward technical compound: 'anionic' (=having/containing anions or negative charge) modifies 'detergent' to indicate a detergent whose molecules carry a negative charge. The meaning is directly compositional and mirrors equivalent terms in other languages/chemistry, so a learner who knows both constituent words can infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Anionic detergent: The name comes from anionic, meaning the cleaning molecule has a 'negative charge', and detergent, meaning a 'cleaning substance'. These 'negative' parts act like little magnets that pull grease and dirt into water, so the phrase describes a detergent that cleans by using those negatively charged molecules.