Word
isotopic
Phoneticsiso·topic
US/ˌaɪsəˈtɑpɪk/
UK/ˌaɪsətˈɒpɪk/
Definition
adj. relating to isotopes — different forms of the same element that have a different weight. Scientists use this idea to study the age, origin, or makeup of materials.
adj. relating to or involving isotopes, atoms of the same element with different neutron numbers and thus different atomic masses. Often describes composition, labelling, or measurement techniques that distinguish such variants.
Examples
“Scientists use isotopic tests to check the age of bones.”
“The lab runs isotopic analysis on the water sample to find where the pollution comes from.”
“By comparing isotopic ratios in ice cores, researchers reconstruct past temperatures and trace how atmospheric circulation has shifted over thousands of years.”
Examples
simple
“Scientists use isotopic tests to check the age of bones.”
contextual
“The lab runs isotopic analysis on the water sample to find where the pollution comes from.”
complex
“By comparing isotopic ratios in ice cores, researchers reconstruct past temperatures and trace how atmospheric circulation has shifted over thousands of years.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “isotopic” in context.
Verb
01. base on isotopic
“The age estimate was based on isotopic evidence from zircon crystals.”
verb + prep + adj
02. determine isotopic
“Chemists determined isotopic composition to verify the drug's origin.”
verb + adj
03. measure isotopic
“Researchers measured isotopic ratios to date the volcanic rock.”
verb + adj
Adjective
04. purely isotopic
“The difference between the samples was purely isotopic in nature.”
adv + adj
Noun
05. isotopic composition
“The lab analyzed the isotopic composition of the meteorite fragment.”
adj + noun
06. isotopic dating
“Isotopic dating showed the cave paintings were 30,000 years old.”
adj + noun
07. isotopic evidence
“Isotopic evidence suggests the drought lasted for decades.”
adj + noun
08. isotopic ratio
“The isotopic ratio revealed whether the ivory came from poachers.”
adj + noun
09. isotopic signature
“Each ocean region has a distinct isotopic signature in its water.”
adj + noun
10. determine isotopic composition
“Scientists determined the isotopic composition to confirm authenticity.”
11. measure isotopic ratio
“They measured the isotopic ratio to identify the source of pollution.”
12. perform isotopic analysis
“The team performed isotopic analysis on hair samples to track diet.”
Usage
Typically placed before the noun it modifies.
Real-World Examples
“Known as isotopic analysis, this technique can reveal information about what an animal ate and drank, as well as where it may have lived.” Etymology
From isotope + -ic.
From iso- + -topic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domains
- 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
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