covalency: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “covalency” mean?
In chemistry, the number of pairs of electrons an atom can share to form chemical bonds.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In chemistry, the number of pairs of electrons an atom can share to form chemical bonds.
The state or degree of being linked by a covalent bond, or the sharing of electrons between atoms. In linguistics, a hypothetical use describing a strong, shared relationship.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. 'Covalence' is a less common alternative, used equally in both varieties.
Connotations
Strictly neutral, scientific.
Frequency
Extremely rare outside chemistry/physics texts. Frequency is identical in UK and US academic writing.
Grammar
How to Use “covalency” in a Sentence
[VERB] covalency: calculate, determine, exhibit, limit, shareVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “covalency” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The atom covalently bonds to the substrate.
American English
- The atom covalently bonds to the substrate.
adverb
British English
- The atoms are covalently linked.
American English
- The atoms are covalently linked.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Used exclusively in chemistry, materials science, and related fields to describe molecular bonding.
Everyday
Effectively non-existent.
Technical
Core term for describing the number of covalent bonds an atom can form (e.g., 'The covalency of carbon is four.').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “covalency”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “covalency”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “covalency”
- Using 'covalency' to refer to ionic or metallic bonding.
- Pronouncing it /kəʊˈvæl.ən.si/ (with a short 'a').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Valency is a broader term for an atom's combining power. Covalency is a specific type of valency referring only to the formation of covalent (electron-sharing) bonds.
Extremely rarely. Any non-chemical use is highly metaphorical and not established in general language.
'Covalent', as in 'a covalent bond'.
The stress is on the second syllable: co-VAL-en-cy. The 'a' in '-val-' sounds like the 'a' in 'ale' (/eɪ/).
In chemistry, the number of pairs of electrons an atom can share to form chemical bonds.
Covalency is usually technical/scientific in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of CO-operating VALENCE electrons: CO-VALENCY. Atoms co-operate by sharing their outer (valence) electrons.
Conceptual Metaphor
SHARING IS BONDING.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'covalency' primarily refer to?