Word
oxide
Phoneticsox·ide, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɑkˌsaɪd/
UK/ˈɒksaɪd/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. a chemical substance that forms when oxygen combines with another element. You might know it as rust when it happens to iron.
n. a binary compound of oxygen with another element or group. Often used in technical contexts to describe the result of oxidation processes.
Examples
“Iron oxide is the scientific name for rust.”
“The chemist analyzed the white powder and identified it as zinc oxide, commonly used in sunscreens.”
“Environmental regulations have become increasingly strict regarding the emission of nitrogen oxide from industrial plants due to its role in the formation of acid rain.”
Examples
simple
“Iron oxide is the scientific name for rust.”
contextual
“The chemist analyzed the white powder and identified it as zinc oxide, commonly used in sunscreens.”
complex
“Environmental regulations have become increasingly strict regarding the emission of nitrogen oxide from industrial plants due to its role in the formation of acid rain.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the chemical substance in general; countable when referring to specific types or varieties of the compound.
Real-World Examples
“The analysis showed that the red pigment in the paint appeared to come from local red clay, which contains microscopic iron oxide particles (nano-hematite).” “Researchers at the University of Surrey found that sodium vanadium oxide performs much better when its naturally occurring water is left inside instead of being removed during manufacturing.” “When irradiated with blue light, the gold particles absorb the light energy and convert it into heat, while graphene oxide helps transfer electrons across the material.” Etymology
Archaic French oxide (now oxyde), from a blend of ox(ygene) and (ac)ide, coined by G. de Morveau and A. Lavoisier. By surface analysis, ox- + -ide.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. black oxide
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
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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