sulfur: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, technical, scientific. The variant 'sulphur' is formal/archaic in UK contexts.
Quick answer
What does “sulfur” mean?
A pale yellow, non-metallic, odorless chemical element (symbol S, atomic number 16), found in nature and used in industry.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A pale yellow, non-metallic, odorless chemical element (symbol S, atomic number 16), found in nature and used in industry.
The element and its compounds, used in matches, gunpowder, fertilizers, and as a fungicide. Can refer to its characteristic pale yellow color or its 'rotten egg' smell when in compound form (e.g., hydrogen sulfide).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: US 'sulfur' vs. historical/traditional UK 'sulphur'. However, the international scientific community and increasingly UK technical/scientific contexts use 'sulfur' (IUPAC standard). The variant 'sulphur' persists in general UK English and some set phrases.
Connotations
Identical. Evokes hellfire, matches, gunpowder, volcanic activity, and a foul smell.
Frequency
In general UK writing, 'sulphur' is still more frequent. In global scientific, industrial, and academic publishing, 'sulfur' is the dominant and prescribed form.
Grammar
How to Use “sulfur” in a Sentence
contains sulfuris rich in sulfursmells of sulfurreact with sulfuremit sulfurVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sulfur” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The winemaker decided to sulphur the barrels to prevent spoilage.
- Old methods involved sulphuring the fruit to preserve it.
American English
- The process is to sulfur the dried apricots.
- They will sulfur the wine to inhibit microbial growth.
adjective
British English
- The sulphurous gases erupted from the fumarole.
- He uttered a sulphurous curse.
American English
- The sulfurous smell indicated a gas leak.
- The debate became sulfurous and personal.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussed in energy (low-sulfur fuels), mining, and chemical manufacturing reports.
Academic
Core term in chemistry, geology, environmental science, and industrial engineering.
Everyday
Used when describing a bad smell ('like sulfur'), volcanic areas, or in gardening (sulfur-based fungicides).
Technical
Precise term for the element S, its allotropes, and its myriad compounds (sulfates, sulfides, sulfur oxides).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sulfur”
Strong
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sulfur”
- Using 'sulphur' in an American scientific paper. / Using 'sulfur' in a traditional UK literary context where 'sulphur' is expected. / Confusing the odorless element with the smell of its compounds.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct, but 'sulfur' is the standard spelling in modern chemistry (IUPAC) and American English. 'Sulphur' is the traditional British spelling, still used in general writing but increasingly replaced by 'sulfur' in scientific contexts.
No, pure elemental sulfur is odorless. The familiar 'rotten egg' smell is associated with hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), a compound containing sulfur.
Brimstone is an archaic word for sulfur, now primarily used in religious contexts (e.g., 'fire and brimstone') or literary descriptions.
Yes, especially in industrial, agricultural, or winemaking contexts (e.g., 'to sulfur a vineyard' means to treat it with sulfur-based fungicide). It is less common in everyday speech.
A pale yellow, non-metallic, odorless chemical element (symbol S, atomic number 16), found in nature and used in industry.
Sulfur is usually formal, technical, scientific. the variant 'sulphur' is formal/archaic in uk contexts. in register.
Sulfur: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌl.fə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌl.fɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “fire and brimstone”
- “sulfur-yellow”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the U in 'sulfur' matching the U in 'US' spelling, and the PH in 'sulphur' matching the PH in 'British phrase'.
Conceptual Metaphor
Sulfur is HELL / CORRUPTION / PURIFICATION. (Hellfire = brimstone; 'sulfurous' language = corrupting; sulfur baths = cleansing).
Practice
Quiz
Which spelling is the international standard in modern scientific literature?