levulose: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / TechnicalFormal, Scientific / Medical
Quick answer
What does “levulose” mean?
An alternative, less common name for the simple sugar fructose, found in fruits and honey.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An alternative, less common name for the simple sugar fructose, found in fruits and honey.
A monosaccharide sugar which is the sweetest of the common sugars, often used in the context of chemistry, biochemistry, and food science.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant national variation; the term is equally rare and technical in both varieties.
Connotations
The term may sound dated or very specialised.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, with 'fructose' being overwhelmingly dominant.
Grammar
How to Use “levulose” in a Sentence
Levulose is + ADJ (e.g., sweeter than glucose)The molecule contains levulose.to convert X to levuloseVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “levulose” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The levulose content was measured.
- A levulose solution was prepared.
American English
- The levulose concentration was high.
- They tested for levulose isomers.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used. If at all, in highly specialised food or pharmaceutical ingredient listings.
Academic
Used primarily in historical texts or very specific biochemical papers discussing isomerism.
Everyday
Virtually unknown to the general public.
Technical
The primary domain. Used in chemistry, biochemistry, and food science texts, though 'fructose' is preferred.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “levulose”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “levulose”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “levulose”
- Confusing it with 'lactulose' (a different sugar used medicinally).
- Spelling: 'levulouse', 'levolose'.
- Assuming it is common terminology.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, levulose is an alternative, largely historical name for fructose.
The name derives from its property of rotating plane-polarised light to the left (levorotatory), combined with the '-ose' suffix for sugars.
No, modern food labels almost exclusively use the term 'fructose' or 'fruit sugar'.
You might encounter it in older scientific literature, very specific biochemical contexts discussing sugar isomers, or in historical medical texts.
An alternative, less common name for the simple sugar fructose, found in fruits and honey.
Levulose is usually formal, scientific / medical in register.
Levulose: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɛvjʊləʊz/, /ˈlɛvjʊləʊs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɛvjəloʊz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'levo-' (left, as it rotates polarised light to the left) + '-ulose' (sugar ending). 'The left-handed sugar'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPECIFICITY IS RARITY (A precise, technical term is used infrequently).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common modern term for 'levulose'?