Word
metabolic
Phoneticsmeta·bol·ic
US/ˌmɛtəˈbɑɫɪk/
UK/mˌɛtəbˈɒlɪk/
Definitions
01relating to metabolism
adj. relating to the way your body uses food and oxygen to create energy.
adj. pertaining to the chemical processes occurring within a living cell or organism that are necessary for the maintenance of life.
“Exercise can help increase your metabolic rate, which means you burn more calories.”
“The patient was diagnosed with a metabolic disorder that prevented his body from correctly processing certain types of proteins found in dairy.”
Technical
Usage
Commonly used in the phrase 'metabolic rate' or 'metabolic process'.
Synonyms
02relating to change
adj. relating to a big change in form, like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly.
adj. relating to or involving metamorphosis or structural change.
“The insect goes through several metabolic stages before it becomes an adult.”
“The study tracked the metabolic transformations of the larvae as they transitioned through various instars toward pupation.”
Technical · Formal
Usage
Primarily used in biology and entomology to describe physical development.
Synonyms
03a supplement
n. a pill or powder you take to help your body's energy levels.
n. a nutritional or dietary supplement intended to influence the body's chemical processes.
“He started taking a new metabolic to help him lose weight faster.”
“The athlete was cautioned against using unregulated metabolics that might contain substances banned by the anti-doping agency.”
Informal · Slang
Teaching tip
This noun use is quite niche and mostly found in fitness or bodybuilding communities; 'supplement' is the standard term.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Working together with indigestible plant fiber, they can also change the metabolic activity of gut bacteria in ways that favor the production of beneficial phenols.” “Every memory we retrieve, every decision we make and every creative insight carries a metabolic cost.” Etymology
See metabolism.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
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englishreference.com/q/metabolic