Definition

A substance that can cause or promote the combustion of another material by providing oxygen or another oxidizing agent.

Example

In the laboratory, we used an oxidiser to enhance the reaction between the chemicals.

Conversation

Have you ever worked with an oxidiser in your experiments?

Not really, but I've heard they can be pretty powerful.

Yeah, they help speed up reactions, but you have to be careful.

Definitely! Safety first when dealing with those kinds of chemicals.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Oxidiser → It is formed from "oxid" (from Latin "oxydare", meaning to combine with oxygen) and "-iser" (a suffix used to indicate a person or thing that performs a specified action). The word "oxidiser" refers to a substance that causes oxidation, typically by providing oxygen to another substance.

Memory Tip

Think of a substance that 'combines with oxygen' ('oxid') to help remember that an 'oxidiser' is something that causes oxidation.

Visually Confused Words