hydrophilic

[hahy-druh-fil-ik] /ˌhaɪ drəˈfɪl ɪk/
adjective, Chemistry
1.
having a strong affinity for water.
noun
2.
soft lens.
Origin
1900-05; hydro-1 + -philic
Examples from the web for hydrophilic
  • Water droplets form, however, on tiny hydrophilic areas at the peaks of the bumps and roll down to the beetle's mouth.
  • Second is a hydrophilic coating which attracts water.
  • The head groups are hydrophilic and form an outer barrier around the tails.
  • Being hydrophilic, ethanol absorbs far more rust-causing water vapour from the atmosphere than petrol.
  • The polymer building blocks are hydrophilic--they easily absorb water and resist interacting with oil.
  • There are hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts of the cell membrane.
British Dictionary definitions for hydrophilic

hydrophilic

/ˌhaɪdrəʊˈfɪlɪk/
adjective
1.
(chem) tending to dissolve in, mix with, or be wetted by water: a hydrophilic colloid Compare hydrophobic
Derived Forms
hydrophile, noun
hydrophilic in Medicine

hydrophilic hy·dro·phil·ic (hī'drə-fĭl'ĭk)
adj.
Having an affinity for water; readily absorbing or dissolving in water.