What does sulphur mean?
Sulphur is a yellow, brittle, nonmetallic chemical element, symbol S, that occurs naturally in minerals, volcanic deposits, and some underground formations. As a verb, it means to treat or fumigate something with sulphur or sulphur dioxide, a use historically associated with disinfecting buildings, wine barrels, and other materials. The element is an important industrial resource because it is used to manufacture sulfuric acid, fertilizers, medicines, and numerous other chemicals. Burning sulphur produces sulfur dioxide, which contributes to air pollution and acid rain, so industrial emissions are carefully controlled. In British spelling, sulphur is the usual term for the element and related compounds; American English generally uses sulfur, although sulphur remains common in chemical names such as sulphuric acid. The word is also familiar from the distinctive smell of burning sulphur and from the phrase “sulphurous vapours,” which evokes something strongly unpleasant or morally objectionable.
A yellow, brittle, nonmetallic chemical element with the symbol S and atomic number 16, occurring in minerals and volcanic deposits.
"The chemical is heated with sulphur to produce a sulfur compound."
The spelling sulphur is traditional in British English; sulfur is standard in American English and current scientific usage.
To treat, fumigate, or disinfect something with sulphur or sulphur fumes.
"The old barrels were sulphured before the wine was stored in them."
This is relatively formal and now uncommon in ordinary use, though it remains established in historical and specialist contexts.
Usually used in the plural for distinct masses or quantities of the element or substance, and occasionally for individual occurrences or deposits.
"Several deposits of sulphurs were found in the volcanic region."
The element that gives rotten eggs their unmistakable smell is also an essential part of the cycle that shapes some of Earth's rarest minerals.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sulphur come from?
The English word entered Middle English as sulphure, borrowed from Latin sulphur. Latin sulphur was itself borrowed from an earlier Mediterranean language or language group, but its ultimate origin is uncertain and is not securely established. Later English usage developed both the modern element name and the verb, while the spelling sulphur became established in British English and sulfur became dominant in American scientific and general usage.
Related word forms
How sulphur is actually used
In British English, sulphur is generally preferred for the element and sulfur is chiefly used in specialized scientific and technical contexts, although both spellings are understood in the United States. The spelling sulphur is also standard in the names of many chemical compounds, such as sulphuric acid.
Easily confused with sulphur
Sulphur is the traditional British spelling of the chemical element, while sulfur is the standard spelling in American English and in modern scientific usage.