fermentable

/'fə:mentəbl/

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Word: Fermentable

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition: The word "fermentable" means something that can undergo fermentation. Fermentation is a process where microorganisms like yeast or bacteria break down substances, usually sugars, to produce alcohol, gases, or acids.

Simple Explanation:

If a food or drink is fermentable, it means that it can change and develop in a special way because of tiny living things (like yeast). This process can result in making products like bread, yogurt, or beer.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "fermentable" to talk about foods or materials that can be fermented.
• It is often used in contexts related to cooking, food science, or brewing.

Example Sentence:

• "Grapes are fermentable, which is why they can be turned into wine."

Advanced Usage:

In scientific contexts, "fermentable" is used to describe specific types of sugars or carbohydrates that can be utilized by microorganisms during the fermentation process. For example, "glucose is a fermentable sugar, while starch is not directly fermentable without being broken down first."

Word Variants:

• Fermentation (noun): The process of fermenting.
• Ferment (verb): To cause to undergo fermentation.

Different Meanings:

• In general, "fermentable" is primarily used in food science. However, metaphorically, it can describe situations that are likely to change or develop rapidly, such as "a fermentable political environment," meaning a situation that is unstable and may lead to significant changes.

Synonyms:

• Convertible: Capable of being transformed (in some contexts).
• Transformable: Able to be changed or converted into another form (less specific but can be used similarly).

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While there are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "fermentable," you might encounter phrases like "in a state of fermentation," which metaphorically refers to a situation that is swirling with activity or change.

Summary:

"Fermentable" is an adjective that describes things that can be fermented, often used in cooking and food science.

Academic

Adjective

1. capable of being fermented