Definition

A substance that prevents a vitamin from working properly in the body or makes it ineffective.

Example

Some foods contain antivitamins that can interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients.

Conversation

I read that some foods can act as an antivitamin for certain nutrients.

Really? I didn't know that was possible.

Yeah, it’s interesting how some substances can block vitamins' effects.

I guess we need to be careful about what we eat, then!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Antivitamin is formed from "anti-" (meaning against) and "vitamin" (from Latin "vita" meaning life and "amin" referring to nitrogen-containing compounds). The word describes a substance that works against vitamins or inhibits their effects in the body.

Memory Tip

Think of 'anti-' meaning against, and 'vitamin' relating to life — so an antivitamin is something that works against life-sustaining vitamins.

Visually Confused Words