Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

catalyst

/ˈkæt.ə.lɪst/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.76 in modern English

Syllables: cat-a-lyst
IPA: /ˈkæt.ə.lɪst/

13

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.

noun

Something that encourages progress or change.

noun

An inciting incident that sets the successive conflict into motion.

noun

A catalytic converter.

noun

An object that facilitates the casting of a spell (such as a magic wand).

Example Sentences

"Enzymes, the catalysts of biological systems, are remarkable molecular devices that determine the pattern of chemical transformations."
"(obsolete)"
"Economic development and integration are working as a catalyst for peace."
"It was a morning baptized by my first cup of coffee, freshly brewed over a gravel-bar fire, while they celebrated with the stronger catalyst of sour-mash whiskey in their fishing-vest cups."
"Israel's fear for the reactor—rather than Egypt's of it—was the greater catalyst for war."
"Rosa Parks was a true catalyst for change and she was only one person. Hearing about Rosa Parks and her protest showed me that there is hope for me and all the students in Ms. G's classes to truly be catalysts for change."

Etymology

Etymology tree English catalysis Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íd͏̌d͏̌ō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō) Proto-Hellenic *-tās Ancient Greek -τής (-tḗs) Ancient Greek -ῐστής (-ĭstḗs)bor. Latin -istader. Old French -istebor. Middle English -ist English -ist English catalyst From catalysis + -ist.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈkæt.ə.lɪst/
British English: /ˈkæt.ɪ.lɪst/

Inflected Forms

catalysts (plural)

Derived Forms

anticatalyst autocatalyst biocatalyst catalyse catalyze catalysis catalystic catalytic cocatalyst electrocatalyst nanocatalyst organocatalyst

Phrases

Adams's catalyst Grubbs' catalyst Lindlar catalyst phase-transfer catalyst stereospecific catalyst triphase catalyst Vandenberg catalyst Ziegler catalyst

Frequently Paired Words

enzyme

Synonyms

stimulus straw that stirs the drink solicitor accelerator

Antonyms

inhibitor dampener

Questions

How do you pronounce catalyst?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈkæt.ə.lɪst/.
What does catalyst mean?: A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.
Where does catalyst come from?: Etymology tree English catalysis Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íd͏̌d͏̌ō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō) Proto-Hellenic *-tās Ancient Greek -τής (-tḗs) Ancient Greek -ῐστής (-ĭstḗs)bor. Latin -istader. Old French -istebor. Middle English -ist English -ist English catalyst From catalysis + -ist.

How to pronounce catalyst

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