amphoteric

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adjective

Having the characteristics of both an acid and a base, and capable of reacting as either.

Similar
amphiprotic
Opposite
acidicalkaline
OriginAncient Greek ἀμφότερος →
RareFirst used 1832Scrabble 19
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Meanings

adjectiveamphoteric (comparative more amphoteric, superlative most amphoteric)

comparative more amphoteric · superlative most amphoteric

  1. chemistryHaving the characteristics of both an acid and a base, and capable of reacting as either.First known use 1832

    Synonyms: amphiprotic

Synonyms & antonyms

adjectiveHaving the characteristics of both an acid and a base, and capable of reacting as either.

Similar
amphiprotic

More synonyms by meaning

adjectivehaving characteristics of both an acid and a base and capable of reacting as either

Similar
amphiprotic
Opposite
acidicalkaline
Also see
amphiprotic

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekἀμφότερος“each of two”
  2. Englishamphoteric

From Ancient Greek ἀμφότερος (amphóteros, “each of two”), from ἄμφω (ámphō, “both”) + -τερος (-teros).

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Bulgarian амфотерен
  • амфотерен (amfoteren)having the characteristics of both an acid and a base
Dutch amfoteer
  • amfoteerhaving the characteristics of both an acid and a base
Finnish amfoteerinen
  • amfoteerinenhaving the characteristics of both an acid and a base
Irish amfaiteireach
  • amfaiteireachhaving the characteristics of both an acid and a base
Italian anfotero
  • anfoterohaving the characteristics of both an acid and a base
Japanese 両性
  • 両性 (ryousei)having the characteristics of both an acid and a base
Korean 양쪽성
  • 양쪽성 (yangjjokseong)having the characteristics of both an acid and a base
Polish amfoteryczny
  • amfoterycznyhaving the characteristics of both an acid and a base
Portuguese anfótero, anfotérico
  • anfóterohaving the characteristics of both an acid and a base
  • anfotéricohaving the characteristics of both an acid and a base
Spanish anfótero
  • anfóterohaving the characteristics of both an acid and a base
Turkish amfoter
  • amfoterhaving the characteristics of both an acid and a base
Vietnamese lưỡng tính
  • lưỡng tínhhaving the characteristics of both an acid and a base

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

metaphoric
Cite this entry
APA

amphoteric. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/amphoteric

MLA

“amphoteric.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/amphoteric. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “amphoteric,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/amphoteric.

Source: amphoteric on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.