ammoniac: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Rare/Technical)Technical / Literary / Historical
Quick answer
What does “ammoniac” mean?
Of or containing ammonia.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Of or containing ammonia; having a pungent, strong smell characteristic of ammonia.
Historically, a resin or gum obtained from a plant (Dorema ammoniacum) with an ammoniac smell; or a mineral substance containing ammonium chloride (sal ammoniac). Now mostly used as an adjective.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in modern usage. Both dialects prefer 'ammonia' for the common compound. The archaic noun uses are equally historical in both.
Connotations
Technical, dated, or literary. Can sound archaic or deliberately precise in a scientific context.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, found almost exclusively in technical writing or historical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “ammoniac” in a Sentence
[Adjective] + [Noun] (ammoniac odour)linking verb + [Adjective] (the air was ammoniac)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ammoniac” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form]
American English
- [No standard verb form]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form]
American English
- [No standard adverb form]
adjective
British English
- The laboratory had a distinct, ammoniac tang.
- They identified an ammoniac residue in the ancient vessel.
American English
- The cleaner left a strong, ammoniac odor in the room.
- The process releases ammoniac fumes that require ventilation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Unlikely, except in specific chemical industry reports.
Academic
Used in chemistry, historical pharmacology, or archaeology when describing residues or old remedies.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation. One would say 'it smells like ammonia'.
Technical
The primary domain. Used in scientific papers, industrial safety sheets, or historical analyses.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ammoniac”
- Using 'ammoniac' as a common noun instead of 'ammonia'. (Incorrect: 'Clean it with ammoniac.' Correct: 'Clean it with ammonia.')
- Misspelling as 'amoniac' or 'amoniak'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Ammonia' is the common noun for the chemical compound (NH3). 'Ammoniac' is primarily an adjective meaning 'of or like ammonia' or an archaic/historical noun for specific gum resins or salts.
It is highly unusual. In everyday situations, you would say 'it smells of ammonia' or 'an ammonia smell'. Using 'ammoniac' would sound very formal or technical.
Sal ammoniac is an archaic name for ammonium chloride (NH4Cl), a white crystalline salt. The term is still used in historical contexts, metallurgy, or some chemistry.
They are largely synonymous adjectives. 'Ammoniacal' is slightly more common in modern technical English (e.g., 'ammoniacal nitrogen'), while 'ammoniac' can sound more literary. Both are correct.
Of or containing ammonia.
Ammoniac is usually technical / literary / historical in register.
Ammoniac: in British English it is pronounced /əˈməʊnɪæk/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈmoʊniˌæk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Link AMMONIAC to the ACRID smell of AMMONIA, which makes you ACHe.
Conceptual Metaphor
PUNGENCY IS SHARPNESS (ammoniac sharpness); CORROSIVENESS IS A FORCE (ammoniac bite).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'ammoniac' most likely to be correctly used?