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Definition of sulfite

sulfite

/ˈsʌl.faɪt/
(UK: sulphite)
sul · fite
Plural:sulfites
•
Adjective:sulfitic
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sulfite Lexical Profile

sulfite Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

American A chemical compound, salt, or ester of sulfurous acid containing the sulfite ion (SO3²⁻), widely used as an antioxidant and preservative in wine, dried fruits, and processed foods.

Example

"Many winemakers add a small amount of sulfite during bottling to prevent oxidation and spoilage."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for sulfite

Word Nuance & Usage

Spelled "sulfite" in American English and "sulphite" in traditional British English, though "sulfite" is now the international chemical standard. Do not confuse with "sulfate" (containing the SO4²⁻ ion) or "sulfide" (containing the S²⁻ ion).

• Rhymes for sulfite

• Nearby Words

sulfa
sulfate
sulfide
sulfite
sulfur
sulfuric
sulfurous

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in late 18th-century chemical nomenclature from French sulfite, derived from Latin sulfur combined with the chemical suffix -ite.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sulfite. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sulfite
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