sulphur

IPA/ˈsʌlfə(r)/
KK[sˈʌlfɚ]IPA/ˈsʌlfər/

sulphur — noun

1. the way the chemical element sulfur (symbol S) is spelled in British English, us

1.nounB1
Definition

the way the chemical element sulfur (symbol S) is spelled in British English, used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and other Commonwealth countries

Example

In her chemistry report, Hoa used the British spelling 'sulphur', not 'sulfur'.

British vs American spelling: sulphur vs sulfur

When Élise proofread her university's chemistry journal, she checked that every article used 'sulphur' throughout.

British spelling used in academic publishing

Usage Note

In American English the preferred spelling is 'sulfur'. Both spellings refer to exactly the same chemical element (atomic number 16, symbol S). The variant 'sulphur' appears mainly in British, Irish, Australian, and New Zealand English.

Common Mistakes

Sulphur and sulfur are two different chemicals.
Sulphur and sulfur are the same chemical element
the difference is only British versus American spelling.' — they are spelling variants of the same substance.

2. a pale yellow, non-metallic chemical element (symbol S) found in nature that pro

2.nounB1
Definition

a pale yellow, non-metallic chemical element (symbol S) found in nature that produces a sharp smell and a blue flame when it catches fire, used in fertilisers, medicines, matches, and industrial processes

Example

The hot springs in Beitou contain sulphur, which gives the water its strong, distinctive smell.

collocation: contain sulphur

Jiwoo watched the yellow sulphur powder burn with a bright blue flame in the laboratory.

collocation: sulphur powder

Common collocations
  • contain sulphur
  • sulphur powder
  • sulphur compounds
  • sulphur tip
  • sulphur content
  • sulphur deposits
Synonyms
  • sulfur

    American English spelling of the same element; identical meaning

  • brimstone

    old-fashioned or biblical term for sulphur, used in phrases like 'fire and brimstone'

Usage Note

Sulphur is an uncountable noun in chemistry contexts. It appears frequently in compound names such as 'sulphuric acid', 'sulphur dioxide', and 'hydrogen sulphide'. The element is essential for all living things because it is a component of proteins.

Common Mistakes

I found a sulphur in the garden.
I found a piece of sulphur in the garden.
sulphur is uncountable; use 'a piece of' or 'some' for a small amount.

Word family

  • sulfur
    nounB1
  • sulphuric
    adjectiveB2
  • sulphurous
    adjectiveC1
  • sulphate
    nounB2
  • sulphide
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

Sulphur and sulfur refer to exactly the same chemical element (atomic number 16, symbol S). The only difference is regional spelling: 'sulphur' is standard in British English (used in the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand), while 'sulfur' is the preferred spelling in American English. Both are used in scientific writing, though the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) officially recommends 'sulfur' internationally. Brimstone is an old-fashioned English word for sulphur, most often encountered in religious or literary contexts — for example, 'fire and brimstone' in biblical descriptions of divine punishment. In everyday modern conversation about chemistry or industry, 'sulphur' (UK) or 'sulfur' (US) is the natural choice; 'brimstone' would sound archaic.

sulphur ↗sulfur ↗brimstone ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • sulphur dioxide
  • sulphuric acid
  • sulphur compounds
  • sulphur deposits
  • sulphur content

Phrases

  • sulphur-containing
  • sulphur-rich
  • low in sulphur
  • high in sulphur

Prepositions

  • of sulphur
  • with sulphur

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'sulphur' comes from Latin 'sulphur' or 'sulfur', a term used by the Romans for the yellow substance found near volcanoes and hot springs. The spelling with 'ph' (sulphur) became standard in British English through Latin and French influence, while the 'f' spelling (sulfur) was adopted in American English as part of a broader spelling reform movement. The element's chemical symbol S comes from its Latin name.