phosphorus

phosphorus — noun

1. a chemical element present in bones, teeth, soil, and fertilizer; some forms giv

1.nounC2
Definition

a chemical element present in bones, teeth, soil, and fertilizer; some forms give off a faint light and catch fire fast in air.

Example

The science teacher showed the class red phosphorus on a glass tray.

pattern: red phosphorus

Farmers add phosphorus to the soil when corn leaves turn pale.

pattern: add phosphorus to the soil

Common collocations
  • red phosphorus
  • white phosphorus
  • phosphorus in soil
  • phosphorus levels
  • phosphorus fertilizer
Synonyms
  • P

    the chemical symbol, used in formulas, labels, and science writing

  • element P

    a technical way to identify the element by its symbol

  • white phosphorus

    one highly reactive form, so it is narrower than the general word

  • red phosphorus

    one common solid form, also narrower than the general word

Grammar Patterns

phosphorus in soil

need phosphorus for bones and teeth

add phosphorus to the soil

white phosphorus

red phosphorus

Usage Note

Usually uncountable and most common in science, farming, and health contexts. When speakers mean a particular form, they often say 'white phosphorus' or 'red phosphorus' rather than the word alone.

Common Mistakes

The plant needs more phosphoruses.
The plant needs more phosphorus.
the element name is usually uncountable.
This cleaner contains phosphorous.
This cleaner contains phosphorus.
'phosphorous' is usually an adjective, while 'phosphorus' is the noun for the element.

Word family

  • phosphate
    nounC1
  • phosphoric
    adjectiveC2
  • phosphorous
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Phosphorus' names the chemical element itself. Use it when you mean the basic substance found in living things, soil, or fertilizer. 'Phosphate' is different: it usually means a compound that contains phosphorus, so it is common in chemistry, farming, and food labels. 'P' is simply the chemical symbol, and it sounds technical rather than ordinary. 'White phosphorus' is one specific form of the element and is much narrower in meaning; it is especially known for burning very easily in air. A farmer may talk about phosphorus in the soil, but a bag label may list phosphate, and a lab chart may show only the letter P.

phosphorus ↗phosphate ↗Pwhite phosphorus

Common collocations

Nouns

  • phosphorus level
  • phosphorus fertilizer
  • phosphorus cycle
  • phosphorus shortage

Phrases

  • add phosphorus to the soil
  • need phosphorus for healthy bones
  • test for phosphorus
  • store white phosphorus under water

Prepositions

  • phosphorus in soil
  • phosphorus in fertilizer
  • phosphorus for bone growth

Etymology

GreekLatinEnglish

The word comes from Greek 'phosphoros', meaning 'light-bringing'. It was first used for the morning star, and later chemists chose it for this element because one form glows in the dark. English took the modern scientific word through Latin use.