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Glite Dictionary
to chlorinate

to chlorinate

4 5.9
To treat water and other things with chlorine to kill bacteria
  • verb
  • /ˈklɔːrəˌneɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : clorificar
  • The technician advised us to chlorinate the water supply regularly to maintain its quality.
  • chlorinated water
  • chlorinated pesticides
  • chlorinated compounds

Examples

  • Just chlorinate the lot.

    Beyond Borders (2003)

  • Its bactericidal potential can be easily demonstrated by studying the killing effect of chlorinated water on E. coli.

    Academic text (1997)

  • Yeah, and let's just chlorinate all the water, okay?

    Beyond Borders (2003)

  • It's been sitting in chlorinated water for who knows how long.

    Thy Will Be Done (2025)

  • All they serve is highly chlorinated tap water.

    The Tuxedo (2002)

  • All the water's chlorinated.

    The War Below (2021)

  • I swim now, mechanically stroking the heavily chlorinated water of the local YMCA.

    Academic text (1993)

  • Although municipal water in Guadalajara city is regularly chlorinated, water recirculating in fountains is not.

    Academic text (2002)

  • Initially, the surfaces were disinfected for 5 minutes with a commercial-grade heavy-duty chlorinated sanitizer before being rinsed with boiling water.

    Academic text (2005)

  • The city chlorinates its drinking water to ensure it is free from harmful bacteria.

Synonyms

to purify
vsto chlorinate
30 4.6

To remove dirt and bad chemicals from water or air to make them clean

uses chlorine specifically rather than general methods for liquids or gases
to disinfect
vsto chlorinate
18 3.7

To clean a surface, wound, or tool with chemicals to kill germs

uses chlorine specifically rather than any general chemical or method
to sanitize
vsto chlorinate
  • US
11 3.7

Make something clean and free from bacteria

uses chlorine specifically rather than general cleaning or sterilizing
to decontaminate
vsto chlorinate
  • Specialized
9 7.0

To remove harmful substances from a place or thing to make it safe

uses chlorine specifically to kill bacteria rather than remove all pollutants
to Clorox
vsto chlorinate
  • Informal
7.4

To clean and disinfect something using strong bleach

uses chlorine specifically rather than a named bleach brand
to hygienize
vsto chlorinate
  • Specialized
7.5

To make something clean and free from germs

uses chlorine specifically rather than broad sanitation methods
purifying
vsto chlorinate
  • Specialized
4.2

Removes harmful or unwanted substances to make something clean

uses chlorine specifically rather than general removal methods

Antonyms

to dechlorinate
  • Specialized
8.2

To remove chlorine from water to make it safe for fish and plants

How Chlorinated

to chlorinate
  • Specialized
4 5.9
to dechlorinate
  • Specialized
8.2

Surface Forms

chlorinate infinitive
chlorinated past
chlorinated past participle
chlorinating present participle
chlorinates third person singular

Morphology

chlorinate = chlorine (transparent) = chlorine + ate

Formed by attaching the verb-forming suffix '-ate' to 'chlorine'; the meaning 'to treat with chlorine' is directly derived and clear to learners familiar with 'chlorine'.

Etymology

Chlorinate comes from the root chlor- meaning 'green', the same root in chlorine and chlorophyll because chlorine was named for its green colour. So, to chlorinate is to add chlorine to water or a pool to clean it and kill bacteria.