surfactant

UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/sɜːˈfæktənt/US:USA pronunciation: respellingUSA pronunciation: respelling(sər fak′tənt)


WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
sur•fac•tant  (sər fak′tənt),USA pronunciation n. [Chem.]
  1. ChemistrySee surface-active agent. 
  • shortening of surf(ace)-act(ive) a(ge)nt 1945–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
surfactant /sɜːˈfæktənt/ n
  1. Also called: surface-active agent a substance, such as a detergent, that can reduce the surface tension of a liquid and thus allow it to foam or penetrate solids; a wetting agent
 adj
  1. having the properties of a surfactant
Etymology: 20th Century: surf(ace)-act(ive) a(ge)nt
'surfactant' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
surface-active - amphiphile - iodophor - respiratory distress syndrome - surface-active agent

🗣️Forum discussions with the word(s) "surfactant" in the title:


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