(of a substance, esp a detergent) capable of lowering the surface tension of a liquid, usually water
See also surfactant
surface-active in American English
(ˈsɜrfɪsˌæktɪv)
adjective
Chemistry
designating or of a substance, as a detergent or wetting agent, that lowers the surface tension of the solvent in which it is dissolved or the tension at the interface between two immiscible liquids