a water-soluble dye obtained from certain lichens, especially Roccella tinctoria., a piece of paper stained with litmus, used to indicate the acidity or alkalinity of a substance.

litmus test, blue litmus paper, red litmus paper

Formal and Informal Expressions of litmus

In different contexts, you can replace 'litmus' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'indicator, measure' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'test' is a commonplace synonym.

litmus: Explore its Definition & Usage

litmus Definition

1a water-soluble dye obtained from certain lichens, especially Roccella tinctoria.
2a piece of paper stained with litmus, used to indicate the acidity or alkalinity of a substance.

Using litmus: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "litmus" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The litmus test showed that the solution was acidic.
Example
The teacher used a litmus paper to demonstrate the pH scale.
Example
The company's new policy was a litmus test for employee loyalty.

litmus Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for litmus

Phrases with litmus

litmus test
a test in which a single factor (such as an attitude, event, or fact) is decisive.
Example
The senator's position on gun control has become a litmus test for his party.
blue litmus paper
a type of litmus paper that turns red under acidic conditions and remains blue under basic or neutral conditions.
Example
The blue litmus paper turned red when dipped into the vinegar solution.
red litmus paper
a type of litmus paper that turns blue under basic or neutral conditions and remains red under acidic conditions.
Example
The red litmus paper remained red when dipped into the water solution.

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Summary: litmus in Brief

The term 'litmus' [ˈlɪtməs] refers to a water-soluble dye obtained from certain lichens, and a piece of paper stained with it, used to indicate the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. It is often used in phrases like 'litmus test,' which means a decisive test, and 'blue litmus paper' and 'red litmus paper,' which are used to test for acidity and alkalinity, respectively.