dex-

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "dex-" is correct and usable in written English, typically as a prefix.
You can use it in contexts related to dexterity or skillfulness, often in words like "dexterous" or "dexterity." Example: "Her dexterous hands quickly assembled the intricate model."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At my wedding, Dex came up and said, "Flemyng, please don't tell me that's your suit from Lock, Stock".

Independent

There was a huge amount of pressure to solely breastfeed, though my first real experience of anti-bottle came from my midwife, when I asked her for advice on introducing bottles when Dex was 10 days old.

Independent

His wife says our working relationship is like a tortoise and a goose: Dex is the yappy goose, obviously.

Independent

Round the corner is Parliament Square, where Ems and Dex would have attended their graduation ceremony and first clapped eyes on one another.

Independent

Dex and I share three great loves in life: drink, poker and food.

Independent

I've cooked for a while but Dex got into it about three years ago and now he's a born-again foodie.

Independent

Dex would ring and say, "We're going out.

Independent

Dex and I had done a lot of acting before, but the rest were pretty much newcomers, so there was no template for how we did it – everyone just did their own thing.

Independent

If we're working on a script, Dex will want to send it to everyone and see what they think straight away, whereas I want to wait until it's perfect before we show it to anyone.

Independent

All the girls fancy Dex, but it's OK: I'm used to being really good-looking people's ginger friend.

Independent

Deb: Gee, Dex, you didn't have to go out of your way.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the prefix "dex-", ensure it is followed by the appropriate term related to chemical compounds or processes, such as "dexmedetomidine" or "dexterity".

Common error

Avoid using "dex-" as a standalone word or in contexts unrelated to chemical nomenclature or dexterity. This prefix has a specific meaning and should not be used casually.

Linguistic Context

The prefix "dex-" functions as a descriptor indicating a specific property of a chemical compound. Ludwig AI confirms its use in contexts related to dextrorotation, as exemplified in the search results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the prefix "dex-" is used to denote a dextrorotatory form in chemistry, indicating that a compound rotates polarized light to the right. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and primarily used in formal and scientific contexts. While "dex-" is commonly found in scientific nomenclature, it should be used accurately to convey its specific meaning. Alternatives like "dextro-" can be used for clarity, but in non-scientific contexts, terms like "skillful" or "adept" are more appropriate when referring to dexterity or skillfulness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dextro-

Uses the complete prefix "dextro-" instead of the shortened form "dex-", referring to dextrorotatory compounds.

d-

A single-letter abbreviation that also represents dextrorotatory forms, similar to "dex-".

dextrorotatory

Uses the full word instead of a prefix to describe a substance that rotates polarized light to the right.

right-rotating

Describes the direction of rotation of polarized light, mirroring the function of "dex-".

clockwise rotating

Indicates the clockwise direction of rotation, similar to dextrorotatory, but uses a more descriptive term.

positive rotation

Refers to the positive angle of rotation, which is characteristic of dextrorotatory substances.

(+)-

A symbol used to indicate dextrorotation, similar to the "dex-" prefix in chemical nomenclature.

optical rotation to the right

A descriptive phrase explaining the effect of a chiral molecule on polarized light.

isomer with positive rotation

Identifies the specific isomer that causes the rotation of light to the right.

chiral compound rotating light clockwise

Describes the property of a chiral compound affecting polarized light in a clockwise direction.

FAQs

What does the prefix "dex-" mean in chemistry?

In chemistry, "dex-" is a prefix that indicates a dextrorotatory form, meaning that the chemical compound rotates polarized light to the right.

Is "dex-" interchangeable with "dextro-"?

Yes, "dex-" is a shortened form of "dextro-" and they both indicate a dextrorotatory form. The full form is generally preferred in formal writing.

How is "dex-" different from "levo-"?

"Dex-" indicates a dextrorotatory form, while "levo-" indicates a levorotatory form, meaning the compound rotates polarized light to the left.

Can "dex-" be used in everyday language?

The prefix "dex-" is mainly used in scientific contexts, specifically in chemistry. It is not commonly used in everyday language except in technical discussions. When you want to refer to skillful you should use adjectives like "skillful" or "adept" instead.