Etymo

isotope

One of the forms of an element that differ in neutron count.

Played on · Day 49 · word 4 of 5

Different forms, the same element

How isotope reached English

oldest first

Greek

  • isos‘equal or the same’
  • topos‘place’

combined

  1. English

    isotope

    ‘A kind of atom of an element, differing in mass’

The story of isotope

Isotope combines elements from Greek isos, equal, and topos, place. Isotopes belong to one element while differing in neutron count and mass.

This is a modern scientific formation from older components.

Sources

Also built on Greek topos

  • isotope, this word
  • utopia
  • topography

The name emphasizes what the different forms share.

More words from 24 October 2026

  1. landgraveA title historically held by certain German nobles.
  2. zeroThe number represented by 0.
  3. feeA charge paid for a service.
  4. cipherA system of secret writing, or a message written in it.

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