glycolate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “glycolate” mean?
A salt or ester of glycolic acid.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A salt or ester of glycolic acid.
In biochemistry, the term can refer to the glycolate anion (OOC-CH2OH) or its compounds; in botany, it relates to photorespiration (the glycolate pathway).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between UK and US English.
Connotations
Neutral, purely scientific in both regions.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialised in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “glycolate” in a Sentence
[Chemical] + glycolateglycolate + of + [acid]conversion to glycolateVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “glycolate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The plant cells will glycolate under high oxygen conditions.
American English
- The enzyme helps glycolate the substrate.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The glycolate content was measured in the leaves.
American English
- They analysed the glycolate pathway mutants.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
N/A
Academic
Used in research papers on photorespiration, enzymology, and cosmetic chemistry.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Common in biochemistry, plant physiology, and industrial chemistry texts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “glycolate”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “glycolate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “glycolate”
- Mispronunciation as /ɡlaɪˈkoʊleɪt/ (stressing the second syllable). Misspelling as 'glycollate' (double 'l').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialised scientific term used mainly in chemistry and plant biology.
Yes, in specialised biochemical contexts it can function as a verb meaning 'to convert into or produce glycolate'.
Glycolic acid is the parent acid (HOCH2COOH); a glycolate is its anionic form or a salt/ester derived from it.
Salts like ammonium glycolate or sodium glycolate are sometimes used in cosmetic and skincare formulations for their exfoliating properties.
A salt or ester of glycolic acid.
Glycolate is usually technical/scientific in register.
Glycolate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡlaɪkəleɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡlaɪkəˌleɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'GLYCol' (as in antifreeze) + 'ATE' (to eat, or a chemical suffix). A compound 'eaten' or used in glycol-related processes.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (literal scientific term).
Practice
Quiz
What is 'glycolate' primarily?