Hydrophilic

Definition

Hydrophilic substances are those that have an affinity for water, meaning they can mix with or dissolve in water.

Related terms

Hydrophobic:

These substances repel or fail to mix with water. They're the wallflowers of the molecular world, preferring to keep their distance from water.

Polar Molecule:

A molecule that has a net dipole as a result of opposing charges. Water is a polar molecule and tends to attract other polar or charged particles (like hydrophilic substances).

Solvent: This is a substance that dissolves another substance (solute). Water is known as the 'universal solvent' because it can dissolve many different types of molecules, especially those that are hydrophilic.