amphiphilic
adjective
am·phi·phil·ic ˌam(p)-fə-ˈfi-lik 
: of, relating to, or being a compound (such as a surfactant) consisting of molecules having a polar water-soluble group attached to a water-insoluble hydrocarbon chain
also : being a molecule of such a compound
amphiphile
ˈam(p)-fə-ˌfī(-ə)l
noun 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Our ever-present, super-affordable, totally amphiphilic friend SOAP is here to save us all. 
Heather Arndt Anderson, Sunset Magazine, 12 Mar. 2020
Heather Arndt Anderson, Sunset Magazine, 12 Mar. 2020 Word History
Etymology
amphi- + -philic
First Known Use
1948, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
amphiphilic
adjective
am·phi·phil·ic ˌam-fə-ˈfil-ik
: of, relating to, consisting of, or being one or more molecules (as of a glycolipid or sphingolipid) in a biological membrane having a polar water-soluble terminal group attached to a water-insoluble hydrocarbon chain