Meanings
adjectiveamphipathic (not comparable)
- not comparablechemistryDescribing a molecule, such as a detergent, which has both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups.
- not comparablebiochemistryOf the surface(s) on a protein, particularly an alpha helix, where one surface of the alpha helix has hydrophilic amino acids and the opposite face has hydrophobic (or lipophilic) amino acids.
Synonyms & antonyms
Similar
Origin
- Ancient Greekἀμφί“on both sides”
- Englishamphipathic
From amphi- + Ancient Greek παθικός (pathikós, “remaining passive in a sexual intercourse”), from Ancient Greek ἀμφί (amphí, “on both sides”).
More words from Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Italian anfipatico
- anfipaticoof a molecule: having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups
Portuguese anfipático, anfipático
- anfipáticoof a molecule: having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups
- anfipáticoof an alpha helix: having one surface with hydrophilic amino acids and the opposite surface with hydrophobic or lipophilic aminoacids
Spanish anfipático
- anfipáticoof a molecule: having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups
Rhymes & wordplay
Rhymes with amphipathic
All rhymes →Cite this entry
APA
amphipathic. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/amphipathic
MLA
“amphipathic.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/amphipathic. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “amphipathic,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/amphipathic.
Source: amphipathic on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.