esterified
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: //ˈɛstərɪfaɪd//
KK: /ˈɛstərɪfaɪd/
adjective
Definition
Describing a substance that has been chemically combined with an alcohol and an acid to create an ester.
Example
The fatty acids in the oil have been esterified to improve their stability.
Conversation
Have you ever tried making your own soap?
No, I haven't! Is it fun?
Yeah, and it's interesting to see how the oils get esterified during the process.
That sounds cool! I would love to learn how to do that.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
alcoholic
acidic
reactive
Antonyms
uncombined
free
neutral
verb
Definition
To convert a compound into an ester, typically by reacting it with an alcohol and an acid.
Example
The chemist esterified the alcohol to create a new fragrance.
Tense Forms
Past: esterified
Past Participle: esterified
Conversation
Did you know that they esterified the compounds in that experiment?
Really? I thought they just mixed them together.
Nope, they actually esterified them to create a new substance.
Root Explanation
Esterified → It is formed from "ester" (from the German word *Essigäther*, meaning ethereal or related to vinegar) and "-ify" (meaning to make or to cause to become). The word "esterified" means to have been made into an ester, a type of chemical compound.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'ester' as a type of chemical compound and '-ify' meaning to make. So, esterified means to make something into an ester.
Visually Confused Words
petrified
chesterfield
stratified