What does "electrolyte" mean?
A substance that, in solution or when molten, ionizes and conducts electricity.
Electrolyte
/ɪˈlɛk.tɹəˌlaɪt/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A substance that, in solution or when molten, ionizes and conducts electricity.
- Grammar: electrolyte is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: anion, body fluid ions, cation, chemical salt.
- Useful contrasts: insulator, nonelectrolyte, nonelectrolytes.
- Usage evidence: These batteries can be dangerous because they are kept at high pressures and contain a flammable electrolyte.
How to use "electrolyte"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "electrolyte" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "electrolyte" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "electrolyte" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "electrolyte" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "electrolyte" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "anion" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "electrolyte", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A substance that, in solution or when molten, ionizes and conducts electricity. countable, uncountable
- 2 a solution that conducts electricity wordnet
- 3 A solution containing such substances, which therefore also conducts electricity. countable, uncountable
"Some modern lead-acid batteries are sealed because they never need to have any electrolyte added during their service life."
- 4 Any of the various ions in such a solution, or (metonymically) their concentration therein. countable, often, uncountable
- 5 Any of the various ions in such a solution, or (metonymically) their concentration therein.; Any of the various biometal ions (such as sodium or chloride) that regulate the electric charge on cells and the flow of water across their membranes, or (metonymically) such an ion's concentration in a bodily fluid, usually and especially blood, blood serum, or urine. countable, often, uncountable
"Lab tests to consider under these circumstances include serum electrolytes, serum glucose, and urine protein."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"These batteries can be dangerous because they are kept at high pressures and contain a flammable electrolyte."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "electrolyte"?
Common synonyms include: anion, body fluid ions, cation, chemical salt, electrolysis, electroplating.
How do you use "electrolyte" in a sentence?
These batteries can be dangerous because they are kept at high pressures and contain a flammable electrolyte.
How do you pronounce "electrolyte"?
Pronounced /ɪˈlɛk.tɹəˌlaɪt/.
Etymology
From electro- + -lyte, from electrolysis. Coined by British scientist Michael Faraday in 1834.