hydrolyze
C2Technical/Scientific, Academic
Definition
Meaning
To break down a chemical compound by reaction with water.
To cause or undergo a chemical decomposition in which a bond is broken by the addition of a water molecule; can be extended metaphorically to describe any process of breaking something down through interaction with water.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A term specific to chemistry and biochemistry. It describes a fundamental type of chemical reaction. The agent (e.g., enzyme, acid) that causes hydrolysis is said to 'hydrolyze' the substrate.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: British English uses 'hydrolyse', American English uses 'hydrolyze'.
Connotations
None beyond the spelling variant.
Frequency
Equally frequent in scientific discourse within their respective regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Agent] hydrolyzes [Substance][Substance] is hydrolyzed (by [Agent])[Substance] hydrolyzes (intransitive, describing the process)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hydrolyze away (to be removed or broken down completely by hydrolysis)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in biotech/pharma contexts (e.g., 'The new enzyme can hydrolyze plant waste efficiently.')
Academic
Common in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, and food science papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core terminology in chemistry labs, industrial processes, and product specifications.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The enzyme amylase hydrolyses starch into maltose.
- The compound will slowly hydrolyse in the presence of moisture.
American English
- The enzyme amylase hydrolyzes starch into maltose.
- The compound will slowly hydrolyze in the presence of moisture.
adverb
British English
- The reaction proceeded hydrolytically.
American English
- The reaction proceeded hydrolytically.
adjective
British English
- The hydrolysed product was then analysed.
- We used a hydrolysing agent.
American English
- The hydrolyzed product was then analyzed.
- We used a hydrolyzing agent.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Some plastics can hydrolyze over time if left in water.
- The digestive enzyme pepsin helps hydrolyze proteins in the stomach.
- Acid is often used to hydrolyze complex sugars into simpler ones.
- The research aimed to engineer a lipase that could efficiently hydrolyze triglycerides under industrial conditions.
- The stability of the drug was compromised as it tended to hydrolyze rapidly in aqueous solutions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of HYDRO (water) + LYSE (to split apart). Water splits the molecule apart.
Conceptual Metaphor
WATER AS A TOOL/SCISSORS: The word conceptualizes water as an active agent that cuts or breaks molecular bonds.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with overly general terms like 'разлагать' or 'растворять'. The Russian equivalent 'гидролизовать' is specific and correct.
- Do not confuse with 'hydrate' (увлажнять) which is about adding water, not breaking bonds with it.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'hydrolize'.
- Using it as a general synonym for 'dissolve'.
- Confusing the agent and object: 'The starch hydrolyzes the enzyme' (incorrect) vs. 'The enzyme hydrolyzes the starch' (correct).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the process of hydrolysis?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost exclusively within scientific contexts (chemistry, biochemistry, food science). It is not part of everyday conversation.
'Hydrolyze' is the precise chemical term for breaking bonds with water. 'Digest' is a broader biological process which often involves hydrolysis, but also includes mechanical and other chemical actions.
Yes, though less common. You can say 'The compound hydrolyzed' meaning it underwent hydrolysis, without specifying the agent.
Hydrolysis. Example: 'The hydrolysis of sucrose yields glucose and fructose.'