Definition

A type of compound made from carbon and a more positively charged element, often used to create very hard materials for cutting tools.

Example

The drill bit was made of carbide, allowing it to cut through metal easily.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of carbide?

Yeah, I think it's used in some tools, right?

Exactly! It's known for being really hard and durable.

I should look into that for my next project.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Carbide is formed from "carbo-" (from Latin "carbo", meaning coal or carbon) and "-ide" (a suffix used in chemistry to denote a binary compound). The word "carbide" refers to a compound formed from carbon and another element, typically a metal.

Memory Tip

Think of 'carbon' ('carbo-') combined with another element to form a compound, which is what carbide represents.

Visually Confused Words