hypotonic
Americanadjective
-
Physiology. (of tissue) having less than the normal tone.
-
Physical Chemistry. noting a solution of lower osmotic pressure than another solution with which it is compared (opposed to hypertonic).
adjective
-
pathol (of muscles) lacking normal tone or tension
-
(of a solution) having a lower osmotic pressure than that of a specified, generally physiological, solution Compare hypertonic isotonic
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of hypotonic
Compare meaning
How does hypotonic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Vocabulary lists containing hypotonic
Cell Biology - 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 - High 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.
Freshwater fish live in an environment that is hypotonic to their cells.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
In a hypotonic environment, cells tend to swell due to intake of water.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
As seen in Figure 32.2, a cell placed in water tends to swell due to gain of water from the hypotonic or “low salt” environment.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
An eccrine sweat gland is type of gland that produces a hypotonic sweat for thermoregulation.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013
These particles are drawn along with the water stream which passes from the hypotonic centres or regions toward those which are hypertonic.
From The Mechanism of Life by Stéphane Leduc
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.