Meaning & use
phthalates
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“phthalates” is a form of “phthalate”.
Meaning
nounusually pluralchemistry
A group of chemical compounds added to plastics to make them soft and flexible, also found in some cosmetics and fragrances.
Grammar: Plural in use: phthalates are common; a single compound is a phthalate.
Patterns
- phthalates in something
- exposure to phthalates
Some countries have banned phthalates from children's toys.
Phthalates in plastic wrap can slowly leak into fatty foods.
The label said the product was free of phthalates.
Word forms
| singular | phthalate |
|---|
Common combinations
- free of phthalates
- The shampoo claims to be free of phthalates.
- exposure to phthalates
- Exposure to phthalates may affect hormones.
- phthalates in plastic
- Phthalates in plastic make it flexible.
- ban phthalates
- The law banned phthalates in baby products.
- phthalate-free
- She bought a phthalate-free shower curtain.
Synonyms and how they differ
- plasticizers
- It is the broader class of additives that soften plastics, and phthalates are only one type.
- softeners
- It is an everyday word for additives that make materials soft, with no specific chemical meaning.
Word family
- phthalate noun
- a single compound of this type
- phthalate-free adjective
- made without these chemicals
- phthalic acid noun
- the acid from which phthalates are made
Commonly confused: phthalates or parabens?
phthalates vs parabens
Parabens are a different group of preservatives used in cosmetics, though both are often discussed together in health news.
Practice
Some shoppers choose vinyl toys labeled free of ____ because they worry about chemicals that make plastic soft.
Choose one answer.
Phthalates are the plastic-softening chemicals in question. Parabens are preservatives, proteins are nutrients and pigments are colorants.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “phthalates”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.