Word
covalent
Phoneticsco·va·lent, stress on the second syllable
US/koʊˈvɑɫənt/
UK/kˈəʊveɪlənt/
Definition
adj. describing a chemical bond where two atoms share electrons to stay together. You find it in water and many everyday molecules.
adj. relating to a chemical bond formed when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons. Typically contrasted with ionic bonding, in which electrons are transferred from one atom to another.
Examples
“Water has covalent bonds that hold its atoms together.”
“In chemistry class, students learn that diamond is hard because its carbon atoms join in a strong covalent network.”
“The remarkable stability of DNA rests partly on covalent bonds along its sugar-phosphate backbone, which resist breaking even as weaker hydrogen bonds between strands open for copying.”
Examples
simple
“Water has covalent bonds that hold its atoms together.”
contextual
“In chemistry class, students learn that diamond is hard because its carbon atoms join in a strong covalent network.”
complex
“The remarkable stability of DNA rests partly on covalent bonds along its sugar-phosphate backbone, which resist breaking even as weaker hydrogen bonds between strands open for copying.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “covalent” in context.
Verb
01. become covalent
“At very short distances, the interaction can become covalent.”
verb + adj
02. classify as covalent
“Textbooks classify the bond between carbon and hydrogen as covalent.”
verb + prep + adj
03. define as covalent
“We define a bond with shared electrons as covalent.”
verb + prep + adj
04. describe as covalent
“Chemists describe the bond in methane as covalent.”
verb + prep + adj
Noun
05. covalent bond
“A covalent bond forms when two atoms share a pair of electrons.”
adj + noun
06. covalent compound
“Many plastics are covalent compounds with relatively low melting points.”
adj + noun
07. covalent crystal
“Diamond is a covalent crystal famous for its hardness.”
adj + noun
08. covalent molecule
“Water is a simple covalent molecule essential for life.”
adj + noun
09. covalent network
“Quartz forms a strong covalent network that resists scratching.”
adj + noun
10. break a covalent bond
“High heat can break a covalent bond in large molecules.”
11. form a covalent bond
“Two hydrogen atoms form a covalent bond by sharing electrons.”
12. held together by covalent bonds
“The plastic is held together by covalent bonds between carbon atoms.”
Usage
Typically placed before the noun it modifies, as in 'covalent bond'.
Etymology
From co- + valent.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/covalent