o-x-i-d-i-z-e
OXIDIZE means to combine chemically with oxygen, or more broadly, to undergo a reaction where electrons are lost, often resulting in rust, tarnish, or combustion.
24
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
To OXIDIZE is to undergo or cause a chemical reaction involving the loss of electrons, most commonly through combination with oxygen. This fundamental chemical process drives phenomena from fire and rust to cellular respiration and metal corrosion. While everyday usage often equates oxidation with oxygen combination, chemists define it more broadly as any reaction involving electron loss. The visible effects - rust on iron, tarnish on silver, browning of apples - represent oxidation's transformative power.Types and examples of oxidation:
The word oxidize derives from "oxide" + "-ize" (verb-forming suffix). The etymology traces back through: "Oxide" (1790) from French oxide, coined by chemists Lavoisier and Guyton de Morveau From oxygène (oxygen) + -ide (compound suffix) "Oxygen" from Greek oxys (sharp, acid) + -genes (forming) The term "oxidize" appeared in 1802, during chemistry's revolutionary period. Initially, it meant only "to combine with oxygen," but the definition expanded in the 20th century with advancing understanding of electron transfer. The modern electrochemical definition (electron loss) was established by the 1920s.
Undergo fast chemical reaction
Stop electron loss reaction
Substance causing oxidation
Incompletely reacted
•The Statue of Liberty's green color is oxidized copper (patina), protecting the metal beneath
•Oxidation in wine can either ruin it or, in controlled amounts, add complexity
•Your body oxidizes about 550 liters of oxygen daily during cellular respiration
•OXIDIZE uses both X (8 points) and Z (10 points) for high Scrabble scoring
"Iron oxidizes rapidly in saltwater environments, forming rust."
"The chef prevented the apples from oxidizing by adding lemon juice."
Present
oxidize, oxidizes
Past
oxidized
Gerund
oxidizing
Noun
oxidation, oxidizer
Adjective
oxidized, oxidizable
Alternative
oxidise (British spelling)
Similar length and difficulty words
Total base points: 24 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 4 | Consonants: 3
OXIDIZE is a Scrabble gem: - X (8) + Z (10) = 18 premium points - Can extend from OXIDE (+3 letters) - 7 letters = potential bingo with right tiles - Place Z on triple letter score for maximum points - Common enough word that opponents might miss it
Oxidation shapes our world - from the air we breathe to the rust that returns iron to earth. Understanding oxidation revolutionized chemistry and industry, enabling everything from batteries to metallurgy.
Oxidise is British, oxidize is American
I comes before D
Use -ize not -ate ending
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