alkaloid: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Academic, Scientific, Medical, Technical
Quick answer
What does “alkaloid” mean?
A naturally occurring organic compound, mostly from plants, containing nitrogen and having basic (alkaline) properties.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A naturally occurring organic compound, mostly from plants, containing nitrogen and having basic (alkaline) properties; often pharmacologically active.
Any of a large group of nitrogenous organic compounds of plant origin which are often physiologically active and can include many drugs (e.g., morphine, quinine, caffeine, nicotine) and poisons (e.g., strychnine).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. Pronunciation of the stressed vowel /æ/ vs /æ/ or /ɔː/ may vary slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Identical technical connotations.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general discourse but common in specialised fields.
Grammar
How to Use “alkaloid” in a Sentence
The plant CONTAINS several alkaloids.Researchers ISOLATED a new alkaloid FROM the bark.Alkaloids ARE CLASSIFIED by their chemical structure.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “alkaloid” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The alkaloid fraction of the extract showed high activity.
- They conducted an alkaloid analysis.
American English
- The plant's alkaloid profile is complex.
- Alkaloid chemistry is a key research area.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in pharmaceutical or herbal supplement industries regarding product composition.
Academic
Common in chemistry, pharmacology, botany, and medicine papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be encountered in discussions about coffee, tea, or plant poisoning.
Technical
Standard term in organic chemistry, pharmacognosy, and toxicology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “alkaloid”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “alkaloid”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alkaloid”
- Mispronouncing as 'al-kay-loid'.
- Using as a synonym for any toxin or drug (e.g., 'That's a powerful alkaloid' when referring to a synthetic drug).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, caffeine is a purine alkaloid, a class of nitrogenous compounds found in plants like coffee beans and tea leaves.
No. While many are toxic in high doses, others are benign or beneficial. The effects depend on the specific alkaloid and the dose (e.g., theophylline in tea is a medicine, morphine is a painkiller).
Yes. While they originate in nature, many important alkaloids like morphine and quinine are now also synthesised or semi-synthesised in laboratories.
Both are plant metabolites. Alkaloids contain nitrogen and are basic. Glycosides contain a sugar moiety bonded to a non-sugar part and are not necessarily basic (e.g., cardiac glycosides like digoxin).
A naturally occurring organic compound, mostly from plants, containing nitrogen and having basic (alkaline) properties.
Alkaloid is usually academic, scientific, medical, technical in register.
Alkaloid: in British English it is pronounced /ˈælkəlɔɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈælkəˌlɔɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ALKAloid' - like an 'alkali' (base) from a plant 'oid' (resembling). Alkali-like compounds from plants.
Conceptual Metaphor
PLANT'S CHEMICAL WEAPON or NATURE'S PHARMACY.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a defining characteristic of an alkaloid?