# surfactant

> English word · Noun · IPA /səɹˈfæktənt/ · frequency rank #47,361

## Definitions
1. A surface-active agent, or wetting agent, capable of reducing the surface tension of a liquid; typically organic compounds having a hydrophilic “head” and a hydrophobic “tail”.
2. A lipoprotein in the tissues of the lung that reduces surface tension and permits more efficient gas transport.

## Etymology
Blend of surface-active + agent.

## Common misspellings (16)
`srufactant`, `ssurfactant`, `sufractant`, `surafctant`, `surfacatnt`, `surfacctant`, `surfactannt`, `surfactantt`, `surfactatn`, `surfactnat`, `surfacttant`, `surfatcant`, `surfcatant`, `surffactant`, `surrfactant`, `usrfactant`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/surfactant