Definition

A chemical compound that is used in making synthetic materials and can be found in some foods when they are cooked at high temperatures. It is known to be harmful to health.

Example

Acrylamide is formed when certain foods are cooked at high temperatures, such as frying or baking.

Conversation

Have you heard about acrylamide in food lately?

Yeah, I read that it forms when starchy foods are cooked at high temperatures.

That's kind of scary, right?

Definitely! It's important to be aware of what we eat.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Acrylamide is formed from "acrylic" (from Latin *acrylicus*, meaning of or pertaining to acryl) and "-amide" (from Latin *amida*, meaning a compound derived from ammonia). The word refers to a compound related to acrylic substances that contains an amide group.

Memory Tip

Think of 'acrylic' as relating to a specific type of chemical compound, and '-amide' indicating it contains an amide group — together, they help you remember that acrylamide is a compound related to acrylics.

Visually Confused Words