Meaning & use
iodine
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountablechemistry
A chemical element that forms dark purple-black crystals, is needed in small amounts by the body, and has the symbol I.
Grammar: No plural and no article for the substance: iodine is essential, not an iodine is essential.
Patterns
- iodine in something
- a lack of iodine
Seaweed and fish are rich in iodine.
Iodine is an element with the atomic number 53.
The thyroid gland needs iodine to make hormones.
noununcountablemedical
A brown liquid containing this element, put on cuts and scratches to kill germs.
Grammar: Used for the antiseptic: she dabbed iodine on the wound.
Patterns
- apply iodine to something
- tincture of iodine
The nurse dabbed iodine on the cut before bandaging it.
Our grandmother kept a small bottle of iodine in the cupboard.
Iodine stains clothes, so be careful when you apply it.
Common combinations
- iodine deficiency
- Iodine deficiency can cause swelling of the thyroid.
- iodine supplement
- Her doctor suggested an iodine supplement during pregnancy.
- rich in iodine
- Kelp is rich in iodine.
- tincture of iodine
- Tincture of iodine was a common antiseptic in the past.
- iodine solution
- Add a drop of iodine solution to test for starch.
Word family
Commonly confused: iodine or iodide? iodine or chlorine?
iodine vs iodide
Iodide is a compound containing iodine, such as potassium iodide, not the element itself.
iodine vs chlorine
Chlorine is a different element in the same chemical family, and it is a gas, not a dark solid.
Practice
Iodized salt is added to the diet to prevent a shortage of which element?
Choose one answer.
Iodized salt has iodine added. Iron, calcium and sodium are different nutrients, and sodium is already in salt.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “iodine”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.