amphoteric [am-fuh-ter-ik] Phonetic (Standard)IPA adjective ,Chemistry. capable of functioning either as an acid or as a base. Discover More Word History and Origins Origin ofamphoteric1 1840–50;<Greekamphóter(os) (comparative ofámphōboth; cognate withLatinambō) +-ic...
An amphoteric substance is one that can act as either anacidor abase, depending on the medium. The word comes from the Greekamphoterosoramphoteroi,meaning "each or both of two" and, essentially, "either acid or alkaline." Amphiprotic molecules are a type of amphoteric species that either ...