IPA: /ˈælkəlaɪz/
KK: /ˈæl.kə.laɪz/
To change into a substance that has a pH level greater than 7, making it less acidic.
When the solution is heated, it will alkalize and become less acidic.
Past: alkalized
Past Participle: alkalized
To change a substance so that it becomes less acidic and more alkaline, often by adding a base.
The scientist decided to alkalize the solution to improve its effectiveness.
Past: alkalized
Past Participle: alkalized
Alkalize is formed from "alkali" (from Arabic *al-qaly*, meaning the ashes of saltwort plants) and "-ize" (a suffix used to form verbs indicating a process). The word means to make something alkaline or to increase its alkalinity.
Think of 'alkali' as the base substance that makes things more alkaline, and '-ize' means to make or become. So, alkalize means to make something more alkaline.