denature

UK: /diːˈneɪtʃə/ US: (dē nā′chər)

Inflections of 'denature' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

denatures

v 3rd person singular

denaturing

v pres p

denatured

v past

denatured

v past p

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

de•na•ture  (dē nā′chər), v.t., -tured, -tur•ing. 

1. to deprive (something) of its natural character, properties, etc.
2. Chemistry to render (any of various alcohols) unfit for drinking by adding an unwholesome substance that does not alter usefulness for other purposes.
3. Biochemistry to treat (a protein or the like) by chemical or physical means so as to alter its original state.
4. Physics to make (fissionable material) unsuitable for use in an atomic weapon by mixing it with unfissionable material.

• de- + nature 1675–85

de•na′tur•ant, n. 
de•na′tur•a′tion, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

denature / diːˈneɪtʃə/, denaturize, denaturise / diːˈneɪtʃəˌraɪz/ verb (transitive)

1. to change the nature of
2. to change (a protein) by chemical or physical means, such as the action of acid or heat, to cause loss of solubility, biological activity, etc
3. to render (something, such as ethanol) unfit for consumption by adding nauseous substances
4. to render (fissile material) unfit for use in nuclear weapons by addition of an isotope

deˈnaturant noun

deˌnaturˈation noun