fluoride

C2 Topic:Science & Research

US /ˈflɔːr.aɪd/ UK /ˈflɔː.raɪd/ See IPA manual

Freq #42660

Meanings

1

noun
a compound in which fluorine is combined with a more electropositive element or chemical group

Calcium fluoride occurs naturally as the mineral fluorite.
2

noun
the monatomic negative ion F-, formed when a fluorine atom gains one electron

In sodium fluoride, each fluoride ion carries a single negative charge.
3

noun
a fluoride compound used in dental products or water treatment to help reduce tooth decay

The toothpaste contains fluoride to strengthen tooth enamel.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a compound in which... fluorine compound

2 noun · the monatomic negative ion... fluoride ionfluorine ion

3 noun · a fluoride compound used in... dental fluoride

Word family

Derived forms fluoridationfluoridatedfluoridizationfluoridize

Related forms fluorinehydrogen fluoridesodium fluoridefluoritehalide

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

sodium fluoride
a sodium salt containing fluoride, used in water fluoridation and dental products

Noun + noun

Etymology

Formed from fluorine + -ide. Fluorine was named through fluorite and fluorspar, ultimately from Latin fluere ("to flow"), because fluorspar served as a flux that helped molten materials flow; -ide marks an anion or the more electronegative part of a compound.

Topics

Science & Research

External links

# fluoride

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈflɔːr.aɪd/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈflɔː.raɪd/
**Frequency rank:** 42660

## Meanings
1. a compound in which fluorine is combined with a more electropositive element or chemical group
2. the monatomic negative ion F-, formed when a fluorine atom gains one electron
3. a fluoride compound used in dental products or water treatment to help reduce tooth decay

## Examples
- Calcium fluoride occurs naturally as the mineral fluorite.
- In sodium fluoride, each fluoride ion carries a single negative charge.
- The toothpaste contains fluoride to strengthen tooth enamel.

## Synonyms
- fluorine compound
- fluoride ion
- fluorine ion
- dental fluoride

## Derived Forms
- fluoridation
- fluoridated
- fluoridization
- fluoridize

## Related Forms
- fluorine
- hydrogen fluoride
- sodium fluoride
- fluorite
- halide

## Etymology
Formed from fluorine + -ide. Fluorine was named through fluorite and fluorspar, ultimately from Latin fluere ("to flow"), because fluorspar served as a flux that helped molten materials flow; -ide marks an anion or the more electronegative part of a compound.

## Topics
- Science & Research

markdown