hermetically sealed

USAGE SUMMARY

"hermetically sealed" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It's usually used in reference to something that is completely sealed, isolated, and/or protected from external influences, much like a vacuum. For example, you could say "The last thing we want is for the virus to get out of the laboratory, so we need to make sure that all the equipment is hermetically sealed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Hermetically sealed.

The Guardian - Tech

But this frame is not hermetically sealed.

The Economist

The white silence of hermetically sealed rooms.

The New York Times - Magazine

The work is not hermetically sealed.

The New York Times

Universe A is no longer hermetically sealed.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm not hermetically sealed to this.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps retail banks could be hermetically sealed from such chaos.

The Economist

The venue was another hermetically sealed business space.

The Guardian

Rare is the modern mass trauma that remains hermetically sealed.

The New Yorker

"We're our own... totally bonkers... hermetically sealed... community," he says.

The New Yorker

You wouldn't need hermetically sealed compartments for a sepulchre.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hermetically sealed", ensure the context requires emphasis on the complete prevention of air or other gases from entering or escaping. If simple closure is sufficient, consider "sealed" or "closed".

Common error

Avoid using "hermetically sealed" metaphorically when a less technical term would suffice. Overusing it can sound pretentious or overly formal. Instead of saying "their relationship was hermetically sealed from outside influence", try "their relationship was isolated from outside influence".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hermetically sealed" is that of a compound adjective, modifying a noun. As demonstrated in Ludwig, it describes something that is airtight and impervious to outside elements. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hermetically sealed" is a compound adjective denoting an airtight and completely isolated enclosure. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and appropriate in formal and scientific contexts, though it can appear in news and media as well. It is used to emphasize the complete prevention of air or other gases from entering or escaping, and should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly formal. Ludwig's examples show it in various contexts, from scientific equipment to metaphorical descriptions of isolation. Its high usage frequency confirms its relevance in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perfectly sealed

Emphasizes the flawlessness of the seal.

completely sealed

Emphasizes the completeness of the seal, without necessarily implying airtightness.

tightly sealed

Highlights the strength and effectiveness of the seal.

airtight

Focuses solely on the aspect of being impermeable to air or gas.

airlessly sealed

Similar to 'airtight', but perhaps slightly more emphatic.

vacuum-sealed

Specifies that the sealing process involves removing air to create a vacuum.

impermeably sealed

Highlights that no substance can pass through the seal.

inviolably sealed

Suggests a seal that is not only airtight but also protected from being broken or violated.

securely closed

Focuses on the security of the closure, implying a strong and reliable seal.

isolated enclosure

Describes the result of the sealing process as an isolated space.

FAQs

What does "hermetically sealed" mean?

The term "hermetically sealed" means something is completely airtight, preventing any gas or air from entering or escaping. It's often used in scientific and technical contexts.

When is it appropriate to use the term "hermetically sealed"?

Use "hermetically sealed" when you want to emphasize the complete impermeability of a container or space. For less technical contexts, consider alternatives like "airtight" or "completely sealed".

What are some synonyms for "hermetically sealed"?

Synonyms include "airtight", "completely sealed", and "vacuum-sealed", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How can I use "hermetically sealed" in a sentence?

Example: "The samples were stored in "hermetically sealed" containers to prevent contamination."