amphoteric

adjective

am·​pho·​ter·​ic ˌam(p)-fə-ˈter-ik 

: partly one and partly the other

specifically : capable of reacting chemically either as an acid or as a base

Examples of amphoteric in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The scientists created a single-step co-pyrolysis process to convert agricultural waste into an amphoteric absorbent that can remove contaminants from synthetic dyes. — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German amphoterisch, from Greek amphóteros "either of two, (in plural) both" (derivative, with the suffix of ordering -teros, of ámphō "both") + -isch -ish — more at ambi-

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for amphoteric

• allosteric
• anomeric
• atmospheric
• chromospheric
• climacteric
• congeneric
• dysenteric
• esoteric
• exoteric
• isomeric
• lithospheric
• mesenteric

Medical Definition

amphoteric

adjective

am·​pho·​ter·​ic ˌam(p)-fə-ˈter-ik 

: partly one and partly the other

specifically : capable of reacting chemically either as an acid or as a base

amphoterism

-ˈter-ˌiz-əm 

noun