What does "vitreous" mean?
The vitreous humor.
Vitreous
/ˈvɪtriəs/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The vitreous humor.
- Grammar: vitreous is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: glassy, glass, glassed, glassier.
- Useful contrasts: dull, nonlustrous, opaque.
- Usage evidence: Pressing his fingertips against the rippled, vitreous surface, he had the odd sensation that were he to apply sufficient pressure the glass would give way like a permeable membrane, and he would be able to pass right through it, but when he pushed harder, the surface remained cold and unyielding.
How to use "vitreous"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "vitreous" 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 "vitreous" 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 "vitreous" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "vitreous" 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 "vitreous" is acting as adj, 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 "glassy" 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.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "vitreous", 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 The vitreous humor. uncountable, usually
Adjective
- 1 Of or resembling glass; glassy.
"Pressing his fingertips against the rippled, vitreous surface, he had the odd sensation that were he to apply sufficient pressure the glass would give way like a permeable membrane, and he would be able to pass right through it, but when he pushed harder, the surface remained cold and unyielding."
- 2 Of or relating to the vitreous humor of the eye.
- 3 Having a shiny nonporous surface.
- 4 Of a semi-crystalline substance where the atoms exhibit short-range order, but without the long-range order of a crystal.
- 5 With a glass-like texture, often referring to volcanic rocks that cooled too quickly for crystals to form.
Show 1 more definition
- 6 Positive (of electric charge). dated
Adjective
- 1 (of ceramics) having the surface made shiny and nonporous by fusing a vitreous solution to it wordnet
- 2 relating to or resembling or derived from or containing glass wordnet
- 3 of or relating to or constituting the vitreous humor of the eye wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"Pressing his fingertips against the rippled, vitreous surface, he had the odd sensation that were he to apply sufficient pressure the glass would give way like a permeable membrane, and he would be able to pass right through it, but when he pushed harder, the surface remained cold and unyielding."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "vitreous"?
Common synonyms include: glassy, glass, glassed, glassier, glassiest, glasslike.
How do you use "vitreous" in a sentence?
Pressing his fingertips against the rippled, vitreous surface, he had the odd sensation that were he to apply sufficient pressure the glass would give way like a permeable membrane, and he would be able to pass right through it, but when he pushed harder, the surface remained cold and unyielding.
How do you pronounce "vitreous"?
Pronounced /ˈvɪtriəs/.
Etymology
From Middle French vitreux, from Latin vitreus (“glassy, transparent”), from vitrum (“glass”). The terms vitreous (positive) and resinous (negative) electricity were coined in 1733 by Charles François de Cisternay du Fay, who studied the different behaviour of glass and resin when rubbed with silk and fur, respectively.