Word meaning

catalyst

noun · KAT-uh-list

What does catalyst mean?

Catalyst means a person or thing that causes change; in chemistry, a substance that speeds a reaction without being used up.

Catalyst in a sentence

“The new park became a catalyst for the neighborhood's revival.”

Synonyms for catalyst

  • spark
  • stimulus
  • trigger

Where does catalyst come from?

From Greek katalysis, "dissolution."

How to remember catalyst

  • Say it out loud a few times: KAT-uh-list.
  • Write one sentence of your own using catalyst, about something that happened to you today.
  • Quiz yourself tomorrow, in three days, and next week. Spaced reviews are what make new words stick.

More words worth knowing

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  • cursory — hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed.
  • fickle — changing frequently, especially regarding loyalties or affections.
  • pertinent — relevant or applicable to a particular matter.
  • proficient — competent or skilled in doing or using something.

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