Definition

A chemical compound that is a salt or ester derived from sulfurous acid, often used as a preservative in food and beverages.

Example

Sulfites are commonly added to wine to prevent spoilage.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of sulfite in food products?

Yeah, I think it’s something they use to preserve freshness.

Right! Some people are sensitive to sulfite and can’t eat certain foods.

That makes sense; I guess it’s good to check labels when shopping.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Sulfite** → It is formed from "sulfur" (from Latin *sulfur*, meaning the element sulfur) and "-ite" (a suffix used in chemistry to denote a salt or ester of an acid). The word "sulfite" refers to a salt or ester derived from sulfurous acid.

Memory Tip

Think of 'sulfur' as the base element and '-ite' indicating a compound or salt, which helps you remember that sulfite is a compound related to sulfur.

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