Definition

A type of gel that contains a large amount of water and is made from polymers, often used in medical and industrial fields.

Example

The doctor used a hydrogel to help heal the wound more effectively.

Conversation

Have you heard about hydrogel and its uses in medicine?

Yeah, I read that it's great for wound healing.

Exactly! It helps keep the area moist and promotes healing.

That's really interesting; I might look into it for my studies.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Hydrogel is formed from "hydro-" (from Greek "hydor", meaning water) and "gel" (from Latin "gelare", meaning to freeze or congeal). The word describes a substance that is a gel-like material containing a significant amount of water.

Memory Tip

Think of 'water' ('hydro-') being combined with a 'gel' — that's why hydrogel is a gel-like substance that contains water.

Visually Confused Words