Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

electronegativity

British  
/ ɪˌlɛktrəʊˌnɛɡəˈtɪvɪtɪ /

noun

  1. the state of being electronegative

  2. a measure of the ability of a specified atom to attract electrons in a molecule

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Vocabulary lists containing electronegativity

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If, on the other hand, the atom E has a relatively high electronegativity, it strongly attracts the electrons it shares with the oxygen atom, making bond a relatively strongly covalent.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Transition metals in low oxidation states have lower electronegativity values than oxygen; therefore, these metal oxides are ionic.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

In oxyacids with similar formulas, the acid strength increases as the electronegativity of the central atom increases.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

On the other hand, compounds formed between two or more nonmetals have small differences in electronegativity between the atoms, and covalent bonding—sharing of electrons—results.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

For HF, there is a larger dipole moment because there is a larger difference in electronegativity.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019