oxidize

IPA/ˈɒksɪdaɪz/
KK[ˈɑksədˌaɪz]IPA/ˈɑːksɪdaɪz/

oxidize — verb

  • oxidizepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • oxidizeshe / she / it
  • oxidizedpast simple
  • oxidizing-ing form

1. to react with oxygen, or make something react with oxygen, so it changes chemica

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveC2
Definition

to react with oxygen, or make something react with oxygen, so it changes chemically, often by rusting or turning brown.

Example

When cut apples oxidize, the white flesh turns brown quickly.

intransitive: food changes in air

Iron pipes oxidized after years of rain and sea air.

Common collocations
  • oxidize in air
  • oxidize quickly
  • oxidized metal
  • oxidized surface
  • oxidize food
Synonyms
  • rust

    narrower, mainly for iron or steel forming a reddish-brown layer

  • corrode

    broader and often focuses on damage to metal, not only oxygen reaction

  • react

    much broader scientific verb; oxidation is only one type of reaction

Antonyms
  • reduce

    the opposite process in chemistry, though the wording depends on context

Grammar Patterns

metal/substance oxidize

oxidize + metal/food/oil

be oxidized by air/heat

Usage Note

Usually used for metals, foods, oils, and other substances exposed to air, heat, or chemicals. Distinguish from sense 2, which explains oxidation through electron loss rather than through oxygen itself.

Common Mistakes

Salt water made the nail to oxidize.
Salt water made the nail oxidize.
after 'make', use the bare verb, not 'to' + verb.
The apple was oxidized to brown.
The apple oxidized and turned brown.
English normally uses 'oxidize' for the chemical change and a second verb for the color result.

2. to lose electrons during a chemical reaction, or to cause a substance to lose th

2.verbtransitive / intransitiveC2
Definition

to lose electrons during a chemical reaction, or to cause a substance to lose them.

Example

In this reaction, zinc oxidizes and gives electrons to copper ions.

pattern: element oxidizes and gives electrons

The teacher said iron is oxidized when it loses two electrons.

passive: be oxidized when ...

Common collocations
  • oxidize an atom
  • oxidize an ion
  • oxidize in a reaction
  • be oxidized
  • oxidized state
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • reduce

    to gain electrons in the opposite chemical process

Grammar Patterns

atom/ion/element oxidize

oxidize + atom/ion/element

be oxidized when it loses electrons

Usage Note

Common in chemistry classes and textbooks, often paired with reduction in the same reaction. Distinguish from sense 1: oxygen may not appear at all, because the key idea here is electron loss.

Common Mistakes

Copper reduced when it lost electrons.
Copper oxidized when it lost electrons.
losing electrons is oxidation; reduction is the opposite.
The atom oxidized by gaining electrons.
The atom oxidized by losing electrons.
this sense is defined by electron loss, not electron gain.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Oxidize is the broad scientific verb for a chemical change involving oxygen, and in modern chemistry it can also cover electron loss. Rust is much narrower: it is mainly used when iron or steel forms a reddish-brown layer. Corrode is broader than rust and focuses on gradual damage to metal, often from water, salt, or acid, whether oxygen is named or not. Tarnish is used for a dull surface on metals such as silver. Burn is a common everyday verb for very fast oxidation that gives off heat and light. Compare: The apple slices oxidized in minutes. The gate rusted by the sea. Salt water corroded the battery wires.

oxidize ↗rust ↗corrode ↗tarnish ↗burn ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • be oxidized
  • be easily oxidized

Etymology

GreekFrenchEnglish

Oxidize was built in modern English from oxide and the verb ending -ize. Oxide came into English through French scientific language and is linked to the word oxygen, which was formed from Greek roots. At first the verb meant making something into an oxide; later chemistry also used it for the idea of losing electrons.