Ionise means: The standard spelling of 'ionize' in Australian, New Zealand, and Oxford-convention British English - to convert an atom or molecule into an ion by adding or removing electrons. The '-ise' suffix. It is mainly New Zealand English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour.
ionise
The standard spelling of 'ionize' in Australian, New Zealand, and Oxford-convention British English — to convert an atom or molecule into an ion by adding or removing electrons.
Definitions
Australia
#1·Apr 28, 2026AUS
The standard spelling of 'ionize' in Australian, New Zealand, and Oxford-convention British English — to convert an atom or molecule into an ion by adding or removing electrons. The '-ise' suffix follows the Commonwealth and Oxford spelling conventions for verbs that use '-ize' in American English. Both are correct in their respective traditions; 'ionise' is the one you'd see in an Australian chemistry textbook.
Ultraviolet radiation can ionise the upper atmosphere and affect radio wave propagation.
Origin: From 'ion' (from Greek ion, going, from ienai, to go) + '-ise,' the British/Australian verb suffix equivalent to American '-ize.' Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
For parents
Ionise means: The standard spelling of 'ionize' in Australian, New Zealand, and Oxford-convention British English - to convert an atom or molecule into an ion by adding or removing electrons. The '-ise' suffix. It is mainly New Zealand English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour.
For ESL learners
ionise means: The standard spelling of 'ionize' in Australian, New Zealand, and Oxford-convention British English - to convert an atom or molecule into an ion by adding or removing electrons.. Register: informal, New Zealand English. Often not understood outside its region; gloss the word on first use when writing for an international audience. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
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Australia
#2·Apr 27, 2026AUS
(Australia, New Zealand, Oxford) ionize.
Cluster: general
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For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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Australia
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🇦🇺About Australian & NZ slang slang
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Other words near "ionise" (I)
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