catalyst

Pronunciation: KAT-uh-list

noun

Difficulty: intermediate

Definition of catalyst

A person, event, or substance that accelerates or brings about significant change or transformation without itself being affected in the process.

Origin of catalyst

Language of origin: Greek

Root word: katalysis

Original meaning: dissolution or loosening down

How it evolved: Originally used in a chemical context to describe substances that speed up reactions, it was later extended metaphorically to refer to agents of change in general.

The word 'catalyst' originates from the scientific realm of chemistry and was later adopted metaphorically to describe agents of change.

First known use: 1902

How to Remember catalyst

Picture a CAT (catalyst) knocking over a stack of dominoes, triggering a chain reaction—just like how a catalyst sets events into motion.

Synonyms for catalyst

  • stimulus
  • instigator
  • impetus
  • provoker
  • accelerator
  • spark
  • trigger
  • motive force

Antonyms of catalyst

catalyst in a Sentence

  1. The professor's groundbreaking research acted as a catalyst for a wave of innovation in the field of renewable energy.
  2. Her passionate speech became the catalyst for a nationwide movement advocating for climate change policies.
  3. The discovery of penicillin was a catalyst in the history of medicine, revolutionizing the treatment of bacterial infections.

catalyst in Literature & Culture

The term 'catalyst' is frequently used in literature and speeches to describe transformative agents, such as in Martin Luther King Jr.'s speeches, which acted as catalysts for the Civil Rights Movement.

Usage Notes

While 'catalyst' is commonly used in scientific contexts, its metaphorical use is equally powerful in describing social, historical, or personal transformations. Be careful not to confuse it with 'catalysis,' which refers specifically to the chemical process.

Why catalyst Matters for GRE & SAT

The word 'catalyst' is essential for GRE test-takers as it often appears in reading comprehension passages, particularly those related to science, history, or social change, and demonstrates nuanced understanding of cause-and-effect relationships.

Word Family

catalytic (adjective)
Relating to or involving the action of a catalyst.
catalysis (noun)
The process of increasing the rate of a chemical reaction by adding a substance without being consumed by the reaction.
catalyze (verb)
To cause or accelerate a process, especially a chemical reaction, through a catalyst.

Did You Know?

  • The concept of 'catalysis' was first proposed by Swedish chemist Jöns Jakob Berzelius in the 19th century.
  • The term 'catalyst' is commonly used in business and leadership discussions to describe pivotal moments or individuals driving organizational change.
  • In pop culture, characters in storytelling are often referred to as 'catalysts' when they trigger major plot developments.

More Vocabulary Words Starting with C

  • cacophonous — extremely noisy; grating
  • cacophonous — extremely noisy; grating
  • cajole — persuade through flattery or gentle urging
  • cajole — persuade through flattery or gentle urging
  • callous — emotionally unfeeling or insensitive
  • callous — emotionally unfeeling or insensitive
  • callow — young and inexperienced; immature
  • callow — young and inexperienced; immature
  • calumny — slander and defamation
  • calumny — slander and defamation