titre: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “titre” mean?
In scientific contexts, specifically analytical chemistry and immunology, the concentration or strength of a solution or substance as determined by titration, or the dilution of an antibody.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In scientific contexts, specifically analytical chemistry and immunology, the concentration or strength of a solution or substance as determined by titration, or the dilution of an antibody.
More broadly, in scientific writing, it can refer to a measure of potency, concentration, or reactivity in a quantitative assay.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling 'titre' is standard in British English. The American English spelling is 'titer'. There is no difference in meaning or usage beyond spelling.
Connotations
Connotes precision, laboratory science, quantification, and medical diagnostics.
Frequency
The term has extremely low frequency in general language but is standard within its specific technical domains in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “titre” in a Sentence
The [antibody] titre was [measured/determined] to be [1:1280].Patients showed a high [antibody] titre against [the virus].A [rising/falling] titre indicates [infection/recovery].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “titre” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The sample will need to be titred to ascertain the exact concentration.
American English
- The sample will need to be titered to ascertain the exact concentration.
adjective
British English
- The titre result was reported as 1:2560.
American English
- The titer result was reported as 1:2560.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in scientific research papers, particularly in biomedical sciences, chemistry, and immunology.
Everyday
Never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in laboratory medicine, immunology, virology, and analytical chemistry.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “titre”
- Using 'titre' in non-scientific contexts.
- Misspelling as 'titer' in BrE contexts or 'titre' in AmE contexts.
- Pronouncing it like 'tight-re' instead of 'ty-ter'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no difference in meaning. 'Titre' is the British English spelling, and 'titer' is the American English spelling.
Yes, though it's less common. The process is 'to titrate', but one can say 'The sample was titred/titered' (BrE/AmE) to find its titre.
No, it is a specialised scientific term with almost no usage outside of technical fields like medicine, immunology, and chemistry.
It is often expressed as a ratio or dilution (e.g., 1:1280) or sometimes as an arbitrary unit per volume (e.g., 250 IU/mL).
In scientific contexts, specifically analytical chemistry and immunology, the concentration or strength of a solution or substance as determined by titration, or the dilution of an antibody.
Titre is usually technical / scientific in register.
Titre: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtaɪtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtaɪtər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'TI TRE' as 'TITration REsult' – the final measurement from a titration.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY IS LEVEL (e.g., a 'high titre', a 'rising titre').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'titre' be most appropriately used?