Definition

Easily damaged or changed when exposed to heat, especially in relation to biochemical substances.

Example

Many enzymes are thermolabile and lose their activity when heated.

Comparatives & Superlatives

Conversation

I heard that some enzymes are thermolabile, which means they can't handle heat well.

Really? That’s interesting; I didn't know enzymes could be sensitive like that.

Yeah, if they’re heated too much, they lose their effectiveness.

That makes sense, especially in cooking or baking where temperature matters!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Thermolabile is formed from "thermo-" (from Greek "thermos", meaning heat) and "labile" (from Latin "labilis", meaning liable to change or unstable). The word describes something that is unstable or changes when exposed to heat.

Memory Tip

Think of 'heat' ('thermo-') making something 'unstable' ('labile') — that's why thermolabile refers to substances that change when heated.

Visually Confused Words