English Reference
Adjective

enzymatic

adj.
C1 Advanced US /ˌɛnzaɪˈmætɪk/ UK /ˌɛnzɪmˈætɪk/ en·zy·mat·ic

adj.relating to enzymes, which are special proteins that help speed up chemical reactions in your body. You use this to describe processes that happen because of these helpers.

adj.relating to or caused by enzymes. Often used in biological or biochemical contexts to describe catalytic processes.


SIMPLE

The body uses enzymatic reactions to break down food.

CONTEXTUAL

The cleaning product relies on enzymatic action to break down tough stains and proteins on the carpet.

COMPLEX

While some chemical reactions require high temperatures to proceed, enzymatic processes occur efficiently at the relatively low temperatures found within living organisms.

Scientists have long known that hydration influences protein folding, stability, molecular recognition and enzymatic activity.

Phys.org· 11 Sept 2026

From enzyme + -atic.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated