radioactive — emitting or relating to the emission of ionizing radiation or particles by the spontaneous disintegration of atomic nuclei
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: emitting or relating to the emission of ionizing radiation or particles by the spontaneous disintegration of atomic nuclei
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌreɪdioʊˈæktɪv/
Example Sentences
- The radioactive half-life of uranium-238 is about 4.5 billion years.
- The superhero got his powers from radioactive spider bite, but I just got a nasty rash.
- Scientists use radioactive tracers to study biological processes in living organisms.
radioactive
ADJECTIVE[/ˌreɪdioʊˈæktɪv/]
emitting or relating to the emission of ionizing radiation or particles by the spontaneous disintegration of atomic nuclei
Emitting dangerous radiation particles
Radioactive materials stay active yet strangely attractive!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The term was coined in 1898 by Marie and Pierre Curie upon discovering radium. It combines Latin 'radius' (ray) and the adjective 'activus' (acting, working), originally referring to substances that spontaneously emit energy in the form of radiation, as if the atoms were broadcasting energy like radio waves.
Breakdown
radio- (from Latin radius, meaning ray or radiation) + -active (from Latin activus, meaning acting or working). The prefix denotes emission of rays, while the suffix indicates the property of being capable of such emission.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The radioactive half-life of uranium-238 is about 4.5 billion years.”
“The superhero got his powers from radioactive spider bite, but I just got a nasty rash.”
“Scientists use radioactive tracers to study biological processes in living organisms.”
“My mom's cooking isn't radioactive, it just glows because she uses too much MSG.”
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