hydrophobic

American  

[hahy-druh-foh-bik] / ˌhaɪ drəˈfoʊ bɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to hydrophobia.

2. Chemistry. having little or no affinity for water.

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Other Word Forms

• hydrophobicity noun
• nonhydrophobic adjective

Etymology

Origin of hydrophobic

First recorded in 1640–50; hydrophobe + -ic

Example Sentences

By analyzing the protonation/deprotonation of glycine molecules, the researchers observed a hydrophobic water/water interface close to the metal surface, leading to a destabilization of zwitterionic forms of glycine.

From Science Daily • Apr. 11, 2024

They know that it can be very effective as a hydrophobic, self-cleaning coating, but it's only now they realise how important the structure is for visible coloration.

From Science Daily • Feb. 7, 2024

The currently used fluorescent dyes simply target the hydrophobic environment within LDs, utilizing unspecified binding mechanisms.

From Science Daily • Jan. 24, 2024

These generally have had undesirable surface properties -- such as being highly immunogenic, highly hydrophobic or charged.

From Science Daily • Jan. 3, 2024

You might as well reason with a rattlesnake, striking at you—might as well seek to temporize and argue with a dog drooling hydrophobic foam, as to tell the human heart what it ought to do.

From The Jucklins A Novel by Read, Opie Percival