oxidise
|ox-i-dise|
🇺🇸
/ˈɑksəˌdaɪz/
🇬🇧
/ˈɒksɪˌdaɪz/
to combine with oxygen / cause oxidation
Etymology
'oxidise' originates from Modern Latin/New Latin 'oxidare' (to make an oxide), ultimately from French 'oxyde' and Greek 'oxys' where 'oxys' meant 'sharp' or 'acid'.
'oxidare' (New Latin) and French 'oxyder/oxyde' influenced late 18th–19th century scientific English; the verb appeared in English as 'oxidize' (US spelling) and 'oxidise' (UK spelling) to mean 'to form an oxide'.
Initially related to making or forming an 'oxide' (connected to the idea of 'acid'/'sharp'), it evolved to the modern chemical sense 'to combine with oxygen' or more generally 'to undergo oxidation (lose electrons)'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to combine with oxygen, or to cause a substance to combine with oxygen (forming an oxide); often used for metals forming oxides such as rust.
Iron will oxidise (form rust) when exposed to moisture and air.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/21 18:13