It comes from the Greek words "hydro" (water) and "philos" (loving).

Here are some examples of hydrophilic substances:

* Sugar: Dissolves readily in water.

* Salt: Dissolves readily in water.

* Cellulose: Forms hydrogen bonds with water.

* Proteins: Contain polar amino acids that interact with water.

The opposite of hydrophilic is hydrophobic, which means "water fearing". Examples of hydrophobic substances include oils and fats.