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ferric

American  
[fer-ik] / ˈfɛr ɪk /

adjective

Chemistry.

  1. of or containing iron, especially in the trivalent state.

ferric British  
/ ˈfɛrɪk /

adjective

  1. of or containing iron in the trivalent state: ferric oxide ; designating an iron (III) compound

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
ferric Scientific  
/ fĕr′ĭk /

  1. Containing iron, especially iron with a valence of 3.

  2. Compare ferrous

Etymology

Origin of ferric

1790–1800; < Latin ferr ( um ) iron + -ic

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The newly identified ferric hydroxysulfate has a crystal structure similar to szomolnokite, a monohydrated ferrous sulfate.

From Science Daily • Mar. 10, 2026

As a precaution, however, we are monitoring the situation due to the use of ferric sulphate in some waste treatment works.

From BBC • Sep. 7, 2021

In his soft, ferric voice, he said, “Oh.”

From The New Yorker • Sep. 14, 2015

Cupric nitrate yields a bluish-turquoise color, while ferric nitrate yields a yellow-to-brown color.

From New York Times • Jul. 1, 2015

The Curb Pins sometimes produce the ferric oxide mentioned by their action on the hairspring.

From Friction, Lubrication and the Lubricants in Horology by Lewis, William T.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.