Definition

A type of sugar found in milk that can be broken down into two simpler sugars, glucose and galactose.

Example

Some people are lactose intolerant, meaning they have trouble digesting this sugar found in milk.

Conversation

Did you know that some people can't digest lactose?

Yeah, my cousin is lactose intolerant and it makes things tricky for him.

I wonder how many foods actually contain lactose.

A lot! It's surprising how common it is in dairy products.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Lactose → It is formed from "lac" (from Latin *lac, lactis*, meaning milk) and "-ose" (a suffix used in chemistry to denote sugars). The word "lactose" refers to a sugar derived from milk.

Memory Tip

Think of 'milk' ('lac') and remember that 'lactose' is the sugar found in milk.

Visually Confused Words