Definition of ALKALI

alkali

Meanings

Plural: alkalies, alkalis

Noun

  • any of various water-soluble compounds capable of turning litmus blue and reacting with an acid to form a salt and water
  • a mixture of soluble salts found in arid soils and some bodies of water; detrimental to agriculture
  • One of a class of caustic bases, such as soda, soda ash, caustic soda, potash, ammonia, and lithia, whose distinguishing characteristics are dissolving in alcohol and water, uniting with oils and fats to form soap, neutralizing and forming salts with acids, turning to brown several vegetable yellows, and changing reddened litmus to blue.
  • Soluble mineral matter, other than common salt, contained in soils of natural waters.

Origin / Etymology

From French alcali, from Medieval Latin alcali, ultimately from Arabic اَلْقِلْي (al-qily, “alkali, ashes of the saltwort”), related to قَلَى (qalā, “to roast in a pan, fry”).

Synonyms

base

Antonyms

acid

Scrabble Score: 10

alkali is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
alkali is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
alkali is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 12

alkali is a valid Words With Friends word