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Glite Dictionary
surface-active agent

surface-active agent

6.9
A chemical in soaps and detergents that helps water mix with oil
  • noun
  • /ˈsɜrfɪs-ˈæktɪv ˈeɪdʒənt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : agente tensioactivo
  • A surface-active agent is often added to detergents to help dissolve oils and grease.

Examples

  • Many surface-active agents are used in detergents and personal care products to improve cleaning efficiency.

  • Painters sometimes use a surface-active agent to help paints spread evenly across surfaces.

  • The laboratory tested the effectiveness of the new surface-active agent in reducing water surface tension.

  • A surface-active agent is essential for creating stable emulsions.

  • Many surface-active agents are used in detergents.

  • A surface-active agent is often added to detergents to help dissolve oils and grease.

  • The laboratory tested the effectiveness of the new surface-active agent in reducing water surface tension.

Synonyms

surfactant
vssurface-active agent
  • Specialized
3 8.5

A chemical that makes a liquid spread and mix more easily

focuses on lowering surface tension to make liquids spread or mix
wetter
vssurface-active agent
  • Specialized
8.8

A chemical that makes a liquid spread more easily on a surface

also makes liquids mix as well as spread
wetting agent
vssurface-active agent
  • Specialized
5.5

A chemical that helps a liquid spread or soak in more easily

focuses on making liquids spread or mix rather than penetrate

Surface Forms

surface-active agent singular
surface-active agents plural

Morphology

surface-active + agent

The phrase is compositionally built from 'surface' + 'active' and 'agent', so a learner who knows those words can infer it denotes a thing/substance that acts at surfaces (i.e., something that works on a surface). However, the precise technical sense — that it specifically reduces surface tension and stabilizes emulsions — is specialised and not fully predictable from the constituents for an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Surface-active agent literally names a chemical that is active at a liquid's surface and works as an agent to help liquids spread and mix. So, the name explains the meaning: a substance that 'makes liquids spread or mix more easily'.