Meaning & use
-valent
Last updated
Meanings
suffixtechnicalchemistry
Used with a number to show how many chemical bonds an atom can form.
Grammar: Always attached to a prefix like mono-, di-, tri-, or poly-; it is not used as a word on its own.
Patterns
- monovalent
- divalent
- trivalent
- polyvalent
A trivalent atom can form three chemical bonds.
The compound contains divalent metal ions.
Polyvalent atoms can bond with several different groups.
suffixtechnicalbiologymedical
Used in biology and medicine to mean having a particular number of valences or strengths.
Grammar: Appears in terms like 'bivalent' for chromosomes or vaccines; the meaning depends on the field.
Patterns
- bivalent
- monovalent
The bivalent vaccine targets two different strains of the virus.
During meiosis, bivalent chromosomes pair up.
Common combinations
- monovalent ion
- Sodium forms a monovalent ion with a single positive charge.
- divalent cation
- Calcium is a divalent cation important for bone health.
- trivalent vaccine
- The trivalent vaccine protects against three types of influenza.
Word family
- valence noun
- The combining power of an atom or group.
- valency noun
- British spelling of valence; the number of bonds an atom can form.
Commonly confused: -valent or valiant?
-valent vs valiant
Means brave and courageous; '-valent' is a technical suffix about chemical bonding, not bravery.
Practice
Which word correctly uses the suffix '-valent' to describe an atom that can form two bonds?
Choose one answer.
'Divalent' means able to form two bonds, from the prefix 'di-' meaning two. 'Monovalent' means one, 'trivalent' means three, and 'polyvalent' means many, so they do not fit the meaning 'two'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “-valent”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.