catalyse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, academic, technical
Quick answer
What does “catalyse” mean?
To cause or accelerate a chemical reaction by acting as a catalyst without being permanently altered itself.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To cause or accelerate a chemical reaction by acting as a catalyst without being permanently altered itself.
To cause or accelerate a significant process, change, or event without being the primary agent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK English, the spelling is 'catalyse'. In US English, the spelling is 'catalyze'. Both follow the standard -ise/-ize pattern.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar frequency in academic/technical contexts. The British spelling 'catalyse' is predominant in UK publications; 'catalyze' is universal in US publications.
Grammar
How to Use “catalyse” in a Sentence
[NP] catalyses [NP][NP] catalyses [NP] into [NP/ing]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “catalyse” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The new funding will catalyse research in the field.
- His resignation catalysed a major organisational restructure.
American English
- The treaty could catalyze economic cooperation across the region.
- Her leadership catalyzed the team into developing a new strategy.
adverb
British English
- The compound acts catalytically.
- He intervened catalytically to break the deadlock.
American English
- The enzyme functions catalytically.
- She worked catalytically to foster agreement.
adjective
British English
- catalytic converter
- a catalytic role in the negotiations
American English
- catalytic converter
- her catalytic influence on the movement
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The new policy aims to catalyse investment in renewable energy.
Academic
The discovery catalysed a paradigm shift in theoretical physics.
Everyday
Her speech catalysed the community into organising a cleanup.
Technical
The enzyme catalyses the hydrolysis of the substrate.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “catalyse”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “catalyse”
- Incorrect: 'The manager catalysed the project to finish.' Correct: 'The manager catalysed the completion of the project.' or '...catalysed the team to finish...'
- Misspelling as 'catalize' or 'catalyze' in UK contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its core and most precise meaning is from chemistry, it is widely used metaphorically in academic, business, and social contexts to mean 'trigger or accelerate a process.'
'Cause' is a general term for making something happen. 'Catalyse' specifically implies initiating or speeding up a process that was possible or latent, often with a focus on the enabling role rather than being the sole direct cause.
The main noun is 'catalyst'. The process or effect is 'catalysis'.
Follow the regional convention: '-ise' is standard in UK English; '-ize' is standard in US English and also accepted in many UK academic publications. The best practice is to be consistent within your document.
To cause or accelerate a chemical reaction by acting as a catalyst without being permanently altered itself.
Catalyse is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Catalyse: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkæt.əl.aɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkæt̬.əl.aɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to catalyse into action”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CAT sitting on a car's ACCELERATOR to make it go faster (CAT-ALYSE). The cat triggers the speed without driving.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SPARK FOR IGNITION, A LUBRICANT FOR MOVEMENT.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'catalyse' MOST appropriate?