hydrophobic has definitions from the field of chemistry
1
[ adjective ] (chemistry) lacking affinity for water; tending to repel and not absorb water; tending not to dissolve in or mix with or be wetted by water

Used in print

(Jay C. Harris and John R. Van Wazer, "Detergent...)

Obviously hydrophobic ( oleophilic ) substances such_as greases , oils , or particles having a greasy or oily surface are more at_home in the center of a micelle than in the aqueous phase .

Thus , for aqueous media , we can think_of the idealized organic active as an oleophilic or hydrophobic surface-active_agent , and of an idealized builder as a oleophobic or hydrophilic surface-active_agent .

Related terms

hydrophilic chemistry

2
[ adjective ] abnormally afraid of water

Synonyms

aquaphobic

Related terms

afraid

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