gibberellic acid: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / Very SpecialisedTechnical / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “gibberellic acid” mean?
A plant hormone that stimulates stem elongation, seed germination, and other growth processes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A plant hormone that stimulates stem elongation, seed germination, and other growth processes.
A specific and potent form of the gibberellin group of plant hormones, often used in agriculture, horticulture, and brewing to manipulate plant development and fruit size.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between UK and US English. Both use the same term identically in technical contexts.
Connotations
None beyond its scientific/agricultural application.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialised in both variants, used exclusively in botany, agriculture, and related sciences.
Grammar
How to Use “gibberellic acid” in a Sentence
[subject] applied/treats/sprays with gibberellic acid to [object]Gibberellic acid promotes/stimulates/inhibits [process]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gibberellic acid” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The gibberellic-acid-treated seedlings showed remarkable elongation.
- A gibberellic-acid-based solution was prepared.
American English
- The gibberellic acid treatment significantly increased stem length.
- We observed a gibberellic acid-induced response.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in agricultural supply, horticultural product descriptions, or patent documents.
Academic
Primary domain. Used in plant biology, agricultural science, biochemistry, and botany papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Exclusive domain. Precise term in scientific research, agronomy, and commercial plant production.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gibberellic acid”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gibberellic acid”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gibberellic acid”
- Misspelling as 'gibberelic', 'gibberallic', or 'giberellic'.
- Using it as a general verb (e.g., 'to gibberellic' a plant).
- Pronouncing the first 'g' as /g/ (hard g) instead of /dʒ/ (soft g).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically, no. Most organic certification standards prohibit the use of synthetic plant hormones like gibberellic acid.
No, its effects vary by species and developmental stage. It can cause excessive, weak growth in some plants and is ineffective in others.
It derives from the fungus Gibberella fujikuroi, from which it was first isolated.
Both are plant hormones, but gibberellic acid primarily promotes stem elongation and seed germination, while auxin is more involved in cell elongation, phototropism, and root initiation.
A plant hormone that stimulates stem elongation, seed germination, and other growth processes.
Gibberellic acid is usually technical / scientific in register.
Gibberellic acid: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdʒɪbəˈrɛlɪk ˈasɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdʒɪbəˈrɛlɪk ˈæsɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'GIBBER' (like a plant talking fast as it grows) + 'ELLIC' (elicits growth) + ACID (a chemical). It's the acid that makes plants gabber (grow) quickly.
Conceptual Metaphor
PLANT GROWTH IS A CHEMICAL SWITCH; Gibberellic acid is the 'green light' or 'accelerator pedal' for plant development.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary agricultural use of gibberellic acid?