chromophore: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “chromophore” mean?
The part of a molecule responsible for its colour.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The part of a molecule responsible for its colour.
In chemistry and physics, a group of atoms in a molecule that absorbs specific wavelengths of visible light, causing the compound to appear coloured. In biology, it can refer to the light-absorbing component of photoreceptor proteins.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Purely technical and neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Identically rare outside specialized fields in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “chromophore” in a Sentence
The chromophore of [compound/protein]A chromophore consisting of [atoms/groups]To act as a chromophoreVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chromophore” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The molecule is chromophoric, meaning it contains a chromophore.
American English
- The engineered protein was chromophorized to enable fluorescence imaging.
adverb
British English
- The compound behaves chromophorically upon irradiation.
American English
- The group interacts chromophorically with the surrounding matrix.
adjective
British English
- The chromophoric properties were analysed using UV-Vis spectroscopy.
American English
- Researchers studied the chromophore-containing region of the protein.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
High frequency in chemistry, biochemistry, physics, and materials science publications and lectures.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in fields dealing with colour, dyes, pigments, spectroscopy, and photoreception.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chromophore”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chromophore”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chromophore”
- Mispronouncing as 'chromo-phore' (with a hard 'ph' as in 'phone') rather than 'chromo-fore'.
- Using it as a synonym for any coloured substance rather than the specific structural unit.
- Confusing it with 'pigment' (which may contain a chromophore).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A dye is the entire coloured substance. A chromophore is the specific structural group within the dye molecule that causes the colour.
Typically, no. The presence of a chromophore implies absorption in the visible spectrum, which produces colour. If a molecule absorbs only in the UV range, it is colourless, and we might call that group a 'UV chromophore' in specialized contexts, but generally 'chromophore' implies visible colour.
A chromophore absorbs light. A fluorophore is a type of chromophore that re-emits a portion of the absorbed light as fluorescence. All fluorophores are chromophores, but not all chromophores are fluorescent.
It is derived from Greek: 'chroma' meaning 'colour' and '-phoros' meaning 'bearing' or 'carrying'.
The part of a molecule responsible for its colour.
Chromophore is usually technical / scientific in register.
Chromophore: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrəʊmə(ʊ)fɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkroʊməˌfɔːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The conjugated pi system acts as the chromophore.”
- “To bleach a chromophore (destroy its light-absorbing ability).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'chromo-' (colour, as in chrome or chromatic) and '-phore' (bearer, as in semaphore). A chromophore is a 'colour-bearer' in a molecule.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CHROMOPHORE IS AN ANCHOR FOR COLOUR / A CHROMOPHORE IS A LIGHT TRAP.
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is the term 'chromophore' MOST appropriately used?