adjective
-
Capable of neutralizing an acid. Bases are alkaline.
-
Relating to an alkali compound.
-
Having a pH greater than 7.
-
Having a relatively low concentration of hydrogen ions.
Etymology
Origin of alkaline
Vocabulary lists containing alkaline
Chemistry - High School
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Chemistry - Middle School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
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.
More interesting for Bott than the climate benefit is the way calcium carbonate makes water more alkaline.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026
The site's pH of 12 makes it one of the most alkaline environments ever documented, creating conditions that are exceptionally difficult for life to endure.
From Science Daily • Nov. 9, 2025
The process uses hot water mixed with an alkaline lye solution, so it’s more environmentally friendly than standard cremation, and usually more expensive.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 23, 2025
The liquid is believed to be a type of home-made chilli spray with no strong acid or alkaline ingredients, police added.
From BBC • Feb. 18, 2025
When the soil is too alkaline, which can be thought of as being too sweet, you need to add sulfur.
From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
