Meaning & use
thermophile
Last updated
UK/ˈθɜːməfaɪl/
US/ˈθɜːrməfaɪl/
Meaning
nouncountabletechnicalbiology
An organism, especially a microbe, that thrives in very hot environments.
Grammar: Countable; plural 'thermophiles'. Often used in scientific contexts.
Patterns
- thermophile in something
- thermophile lives
- thermophile grows
Thermophiles live in hot springs and deep-sea vents.
Scientists study thermophiles to understand how life adapts to extreme heat.
Some thermophiles can survive temperatures above 80°C.
Word forms
| plural | thermophiles |
|---|
Common combinations
- thermophilic bacteria
- Thermophilic bacteria are common in volcanic areas.
- extreme thermophile
- An extreme thermophile can grow at temperatures near boiling.
- thermophile enzymes
- Thermophile enzymes are used in biotechnology because they resist heat.
Synonyms and how they differ
- heat-loving organism
- A descriptive phrase; 'thermophile' is the precise scientific term.
Opposites
psychrophile
Word family
- thermophilic adjective
- Describing organisms that thrive in hot conditions.
Commonly confused: thermophile or psychrophile?
thermophile vs psychrophile
A psychrophile thrives in cold environments, while a thermophile thrives in heat.
Practice
What is a thermophile?
Choose one answer.
A thermophile is an organism adapted to hot environments. The other options confuse it with psychrophiles or thermometers.
Make it your own
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