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DictionaryphosphoricRelating to phosphorus
adjective

phosphoric

fahs-FOR-ik/fˈɑsfɝɪk/

Relating to or containing phosphorus, especially in acids.

The bottle contains phosphoric acid beside a beaker of the clear liquid.

A laboratory reagent bottle of phosphoric acid, identified only by the intrinsic chemical formula H₃PO₄, with a small quantity of the clear liquid in a beaker beside it.
Etymology
phosphorFrenchphosphorus
+icFrenchrelating to

The element name plus an adjective ending makes this a word of relationship: it describes something containing phosphorus, obtained from it, or otherwise connected with it.

In context

Plainly Difficult160:05
the building contained around 1246 tons of phosphoric acid
ReWind: Year 5 Omnibus of Plainly Difficult

More examples

  • The cleaner uses phosphoric acid to remove rust.
  • Manufacturers use phosphoric acid to make some fertilizers.
  • In chemistry class, we compare phosphoric acid with hydrochloric acid.

Forms

phosphoric

phosphorus noun — A chemical element essential to living organisms.

Similar words

phosphatic
Describes phosphate-containing substances, rather than phosphorus compounds in general.
phosphorous
Specifically describes phosphorus compounds with a lower oxidation state.