# sulfide

/ˈsəɫˌfaɪd/ (US) · /sˈʌlfaɪd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sulfide
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a chemical compound that contains sulfur and another element, like iron or copper. These compounds are often found in nature and can be used to make things like jewelry or metal parts.

For teachers: a binary chemical compound containing sulfur and another element, typically a metal. Often refers to the anion of sulfur in inorganic compounds or the functional group in organic chemistry.

## Examples

- The mine produces a large amount of copper sulfide.
- Hydrogen sulfide is a common gas found in natural gas and is often removed before the gas is sold.
- The stability of the mineral structure depends on the specific arrangement of the sulfide ions within the crystal lattice, which determines its resistance to oxidation.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.